Protecting What Matters: A welcome reset – now for the Vision

Monday 16 March, 2026

The government has published Protecting What Matters – its long‑awaited social cohesion action plan, following nearly a year of work by the social cohesion task force. Announced by Steve Reed as ‘a rallying call for action to build a more confident, cohesive and resilient society,’ much of the initial commentary centred on the new definition of Anti‑Muslim Hostility. Reed heralded this as a long overdue measure, ‘providing a clear explanation of unacceptable prejudice, discrimination and hatred targeting Muslims,’ at a time when hate incidents against Muslims reached 4,478 by March ’25. The definition rightly recognises that Muslims deserve the same protections as everyone else, without shielding the religion itself from critique. There are also measures to address rising antisemitism.  In the face of scepticism and criticism from some quarters Reed emphasised, it ‘safeguards our fundamental right to freedom of speech about religion… and ensures that concerns raised in the public interest are protected.’ His media responses also highlighted the disproportionate impact of anti‑Muslim hostility on young people and women.

But ICYMI, the new definition is far from the only headline. The Action Plan takes bold steps to pull together activity from across government departments ranging from DCMS to the Home Office demonstrating clear eyed recognition from the powers that be that cohesion can no longer be the job of a single department nor a narrow set of policy proposals. It’s about how we respond to contemporary challenges, how we all rub alongside one another and how every single one of us, alongside government – have a role to play in that.

What’s in there?

First, this is distinctly a central government strategy. It acknowledges the work of local authorities and partners but focuses primarily on what Whitehall can and must do. This is welcome and something that Belong has called for since the violent disorder that swept the country in 2024. For years, councils have been working hard to deliver place‑based cohesion strategies and solutions in the absence of national clarity. Commitments to embed national guidance, develop cohesion risk assessment tools, and work with organisations like Belong are significant. Delivered well, these could be transformative. Local authorities are place-makers – the next challenge is ensuring government harnesses local authority capability rather than creating parallel systems within Whitehall, which risk diverting resources and increasing bureaucracy. A genuine partnership approach will strengthen local and national cohesion in the long term.

A cross‑government integration strategy of the scale the plan commits to is welcome. It speaks of integration as a two‑way street and is a statement of real intent: newcomers and migrants have responsibilities to their local communities, but those communities – with support from central government – must also play their part. With clarity and commitment from the centre, local authorities and communities can be far better equipped to do so.

The review of English language provision, with a goal of universal fluency, is ambitious and widely supported. For many, improved language access could be genuinely life‑changing, significantly shifting the dial on integration.

The announcement of new Pride in Place Programme (PiPP) funding for 40 additional areas with ‘cohesion challenges’ – on top of the 249 places already receiving PiPP support – is also welcome. PiPP in itself is not a silver bullet for cohesion – its focus on social infrastructure and community development is important, but not all cohesion challenges can be addressed through this programme. While the ‘double disadvantage’ metrics that influenced PiPP helped identify deprivation, they did not predict the areas impacted by the 2024 riots. To ensure this investment delivers, the government must be clear‑eyed about what these areas need to address cohesion challenges. Measurement will be critical. National dynamics influence local realities, and our ability to forecast and respond must reflect that.

There are further positive proposals within the plan that represent a more creative and cohesive approach from government and how it is recognising the opportunities and levers it has. A ‘decade‑long pipeline of major sporting and cultural events’ illustrates the unique assets the UK possesses. Football tournaments don’t need to just focus on football fans. Done well, these events can encourage volunteering and unite communities and a nation in celebration of their shared identity. Evidence from Spirit of 2012 shows that this is far from superficial; national moments can generate powerful bridging between groups. Belong’s own work on the Power of Sport demonstrates how small interventions, delivered with intention, can create meaningful connection.

What must come next?

A Vision. While practical, no‑nonsense delivery matters, we also need clarity on where this is heading. The plan is comprehensive, but in its breadth risks a ‘kitchen sink’ effect that blurs priorities. It lays important foundations – but more must come.

Significant gaps remain. Social media’s role in fuelling tensions and the devastating impact this can have on communities requires a more considered response. Many of the social media proposals are predicated on the cooperation of organisations – X and Meta – that lie outside the UK’s jurisdiction. The plan gestures towards systemic levers which are of course critical, but local authorities and civil society also need practical tools and support for crisis response. Crises will come – and preparedness must be strengthened.

Education, too, needs deeper attention. While commitments around media literacy, citizenship and religious education are welcome, cohesion requires more than changing the formal curriculum. Young people need opportunities to experience empathy and connection firsthand. As a former educator working with young people on conflict transformation programmes for over 15 years, I know first-hand that values are caught, not taught, and it is not through didactic approaches alone that we will get there. In many places where Belong works, children do not get the chance to meet peers from different faith, ethnic or class backgrounds. It is through initiatives such as The Linking Network where young people meet face to face with ‘the other’ or simply kids they would never normally meet through the twinning of classes – that understanding and empathy is forged. It is not just the what – it’s the how. Schools, nurseries and FE colleges play a significant role as connectors, convenors and community anchors and present opportunities that we cannot and should not miss.

The partnership between central government, local government and civil society will determine the plan’s success. Many have seen previous engagement and funding evaporate quickly. While the Common Ground Resilience Fund is a helpful start, sustained investment is essential to build resilient, confident and cohesive communities. Civil society and local authorities are the backbone of this work; they need long‑term commitment and resources.

For those of us long engaged in cohesion and community relations, Protecting What Matters brings a refreshing shift. It is pragmatic, mission‑focused, and signals a willingness to break down policy silos to get things done. This government appears ready to roll up its sleeves, and the legacy of previous approaches, particularly the Prevent‑dominated years, remains instructive. Over‑focusing on security, while necessary in parts, undermined wider cohesion efforts and chilled relationships with communities, particularly Muslims. Today, extremism’s reach is broader, and the need for whole‑society approaches is clearer than ever. Rising hate crime and shifting social attitudes underline that urgent action is required.

This action plan recognises that reality by breaking down the silos and taking a pragmatic approach to focus on what matters  – signalling an intent to go further and challenge outdated policy structures. But what comes next must be a clear, ambitious vision backed by sustained investment. If government, local authorities and civil society can work in genuine partnership, Protecting What Matters could be the beginning of a new chapter – not just a new document.