Latest news with #MHCLG
Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Times
Islamophobia definition could have chilling effect, says peer
The government's new Islamophobia definition could stop experts warning about Islamist influence in Britain, a former anti-extremism tsar has warned. Lord Walney said that a review being carried out by Angela Rayner's department should drop the term Islamophobia, or risk 'protecting a religion from criticism' rather than protecting individuals. Ministers launched a 'working group' in February aimed at forming an official definition of what is meant by Islamophobia or anti-Muslim hatred within six months. The group was created because incidents of hate crime in England and Wales aimed at Muslims were at an all-time high, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said. Rayner has been warned that using the term Islamophobia rather than anti-Muslim hate risked efforts to expose malign influence from countries such as Iran being branded as Islamophobia. The Times previously revealed that Iran had developed a 'sophisticated network' across the UK to actively promote propaganda and 'plant seeds of suspicion' against the British government. Walney, a Labour peer who wrote a government review into political violence and disruption, said the government did not need to 'scrap the whole thing' because 'prejudice against Muslims absolutely exists in this country, and we should be alive to it'. He said: 'But by dropping the term Islamophobia you could send a clear message that this is not about protecting a religion from criticism.' Walney said that a previous definition adopted by the Labour Party in the Corbyn years specifically said that referring to Pakistani grooming gangs or 'the idea that there are Islamist organisations in the UK that seek to infiltrate British communities' would have been counted as Islamophobia. The government confirmed that was no longer its position and it made it clear that it would uphold free speech in the terms of reference for the review. But Walney said: 'Where really significant worry remains is that the legal framework, or certainly how it is being interpreted at the moment across the country — when no definition exists — is having a significant chilling effect on freedom of speech.' He also warned that it would be 'toxically damaging for Labour' if the government was seen 'as furthering a process which can be in any way seen to perpetuate or extend that culture' that led to the cover-up of grooming gangs. Rayner's department has been accused by the Conservatives of carrying out the review in secret, because although certain groups would be invited to respond to a consultation on any definition, the public would not be asked to do so. It is also facing a potential legal challenge from the Free Speech Union if the definition is deemed too wide. One group that has been asked to contribute is the National Secular Society, which said any definition would 'not protect Muslims' but would threaten freedom of speech. Stephen Evans, the society's chief executive, said: 'Anti-Muslim bigotry is a genuine issue which threatens the rights and wellbeing of individuals, as well as wider community cohesion. However, attempting to protect Muslims by using an 'Islamophobia' definition is likely to fail, and may even have the opposite effect. 'Such a definition could fuel fears around 'two-tier justice', as well as demands for other 'religionphobia' definitions. It could also hinder free speech around Islam, including the ability to criticise aspects of Islam which may cause harm. 'We believe the government should rethink its approach, and instead tackle anti-Muslim bigotry by promoting and upholding the fundamental human rights we all share as individuals.' The MHCLG said: 'We are absolutely committed to defending freedom of speech and any proposed definition must be compatible with the right to freedom of speech and expression. 'The independent working group has been engaging extensively with a wide range of communities and will provide independent, evidence-based advice to ministers.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Universal seeks permission to build UK theme park near Bedford
Universal has formally submitted a planning permission request to the government for its first-ever UK theme company has asked the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for permission "to be granted by way of a Special Development Order (SDO)" at a site near Bedford.A Universal spokesperson said the request was for "an entertainment resort complex featuring a world-class theme park with several themed lands, visitor accommodation, as well as a range of retail, dining and entertainment uses".It added that the development would have a "transformative impact on Bedford and the UK economy" generating nearly "£50bn of economic benefit and create 28,000 jobs". Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Second home owners face bigger council fines under ‘two-tier system'
Second home owners could be charged more than people who own one property for falling behind on their council tax bills, government documents suggest. Angela Rayner, the Housing Secretary, has suggested capping penalties for homeowners with one residence, while dishing out bigger fines for those who fail to keep up with the new second homes premium. Campaigners argue the introduction of a two-tier system would be a 'scandal' adding further financial strain on second home owners. The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), run by Ms Rayner, has put its proposals out for public consultation, as it attempts to redraw the severity of fines issued to those in council tax arrears. As it stands, taxpayers with outstanding debt face additional legal costs ranging from £35 to £172 to cover the fees paid by a council to obtain a liability order. The Government said the discrepancies in charges between authorities are 'not fair', and therefore a cap on the total costs, which can be added to a bill, should be introduced. It pointed towards an existing £70 cap in Wales, but in its public questionnaire, the MHCLG suggested second home owners could be treated differently. The consultation states: 'The Government is interested in views on whether a cap on the liability costs should apply equally to all types of residential properties or whether, for example, it should not apply to empty and second homes which can attract council tax premiums.' Respondents are then directly asked: 'Should the cap apply when seeking a liability order on second or empty homes?' The suggested disparity between the treatment of second home owners and owners of a sole residence has sparked accusations of a two-tier legal system. The vast majority of second home owners already face hefty council tax bills after more than 200 local authorities introduced double taxation in April. Now they face the further threat of a legal fees premium, should the Government opt to exempt them from a fees cap. John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'It would be a scandal if those who are forced to pay double the tax for the same or fewer services received fewer legal protections as a result. 'Whitehall needs to recognise the sudden financial difficulties that many residents will face as their properties become unaffordable. 'The premium on second homes is a disgrace of a policy which should never have been introduced in the first place.' A host of second home owners have told The Telegraph of their worries over the affordability of the levy. On average, a second home owner is now saddled with a £3,672 annual council tax bill, but in some cases, the fee surpasses £10,000. Telegraph Money is campaigning for the levy to be abolished. A Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government spokesman said: 'Our ambitious plans to improve the administration of council tax will deliver a fairer system for taxpayers while giving councils the tools to recover tax and deliver public services. 'We are currently exploring options on the best way to achieve this, and no final decisions have been made.' Sign in to access your portfolio
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Second home owners face bigger council fines under ‘two-tier system'
Second home owners could be charged more than people who own one property for falling behind on their council tax bills, government documents suggest. Angela Rayner, the Housing Secretary, has suggested capping penalties for homeowners with one residence, while dishing out bigger fines for those who fail to keep up with the new second homes premium. Campaigners argue the introduction of a two-tier system would be a 'scandal' adding further financial strain on second home owners. The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), run by Ms Rayner, has put its proposals out for public consultation, as it attempts to redraw the severity of fines issued to those in council tax arrears. As it stands, taxpayers with outstanding debt face additional legal costs ranging from £35 to £172 to cover the fees paid by a council to obtain a liability order. The Government said the discrepancies in charges between authorities are 'not fair', and therefore a cap on the total costs, which can be added to a bill, should be introduced. It pointed towards an existing £70 cap in Wales, but in its public questionnaire, the MHCLG suggested second home owners could be treated differently. The consultation states: 'The Government is interested in views on whether a cap on the liability costs should apply equally to all types of residential properties or whether, for example, it should not apply to empty and second homes which can attract council tax premiums.' Respondents are then directly asked: 'Should the cap apply when seeking a liability order on second or empty homes?' The suggested disparity between the treatment of second home owners and owners of a sole residence has sparked accusations of a two-tier legal system. The vast majority of second home owners already face hefty council tax bills after more than 200 local authorities introduced double taxation in April. Now they face the further threat of a legal fees premium, should the Government opt to exempt them from a fees cap. John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'It would be a scandal if those who are forced to pay double the tax for the same or fewer services received fewer legal protections as a result. 'Whitehall needs to recognise the sudden financial difficulties that many residents will face as their properties become unaffordable. 'The premium on second homes is a disgrace of a policy which should never have been introduced in the first place.' A host of second home owners have told The Telegraph of their worries over the affordability of the levy. On average, a second home owner is now saddled with a £3,672 annual council tax bill, but in some cases, the fee surpasses £10,000. Telegraph Money is campaigning for the levy to be abolished. A Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government spokesman said: 'Our ambitious plans to improve the administration of council tax will deliver a fairer system for taxpayers while giving councils the tools to recover tax and deliver public services. 'We are currently exploring options on the best way to achieve this, and no final decisions have been made.'
The Independent
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Labour plans council tax shake-up that could see rich areas pay more
Labour is proposing a significant reform to council tax funding, aiming to make it fairer by directing more central government funds to areas with the highest need. The new approach seeks to alleviate the burden on local authorities that currently impose large council tax increases with little return, by enabling them to request lower rises. The reform will likely result in less central funding for areas where local services are not as stretched. A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government official said the current system has led to "perverse outcomes" and the new plan aims to be fairer to councils that have historically faced difficult financial decisions. A consultation has been launched by the MHCLG to evaluate how new funding allocations will be made, including assessing needs for adult social care, children's social care, and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities funding.
