Rachel has expressed her delight that her campaign for tougher laws on hate crimes has been successful in convincing the government of the need for change.

Last week, Rachel tabled an amendment that would have introduced tougher sentences for hate crimes committed against LGBT and disabled people. She said it was long overdue that such crimes were treated with the same level of seriousness in law as hate crimes committed on the grounds of race and religion.

Rachel’s campaign was backed by 104 cross-party MPs, who added their name to the amendment ahead of a debate on the Crime and Policing Bill. During the debate, Rachel said: “We must have hate crime laws that show that whether it is your race or your religion, your sexual orientation, your gender identity, or indeed your disability, that Britain is a country that will not tolerate it. That all hatred is equal. And that all those who commit vile acts of hatred will face the same grave consequences.”

In response, the government said they had heard the message loud and clear that a legal change was needed, and that they would be making the change as part of the Crime and Policing Bill in the next few weeks.

The new law will make serious crimes motivated by prejudice against anyone because of their disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity “aggravated” offences – as is currently the case for hate crimes motivated by race or religion. Aggravated offences carry tougher sentences for perpetrators.

Rachel said:

Between March 2023 – 2024, over 40,000 hate crimes against people in Britain because of their sexual orientation, transgender identity, or disability were recorded by the police. Victims deserve to have these crimes treated every bit as seriously in law as crimes based on race and religion.

 

I am absolutely delighted that the government has listened to me and the cross-party MPs who supported this vital change in the law, and will be making this change in the coming weeks. Equality has taken a great stride forward today.

A clip of Rachel speaking in the debate on her amendment can be viewed by clicking here. A full transcript of her speech can be found on Hansard by clicking here.