Government announces funding for increased security and protection for Jewish communities

At the Community Security Trust’s (CST) annual dinner, the prime minister pledged £70 million over the next four years to the organisation, which was established to protect Jewish community sites.

The money is part of the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant and will be used to increase security at a range of Jewish buildings across the country, including schools, synagogues and other facilities used by the Jewish community.

£18 million has already been given to CST for 2024 to 2025 and £54 million of new funding is intended to ensure the organisation's work is funded until 2028.

The money will be used to provide protective security measures such as security guards, CCTV and alarm systems at Jewish educational sites and other Jewish community centres, as well as a number of synagogues.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "We know CST is going to be needed for many years to come. So tonight, I am changing the way CST is funded to help you plan for the long-term… with the biggest financial commitment that any government has ever made."

Home Secretary James Cleverly said: "The rise in antisemitic hatred and abuse we have seen in the UK in recent months is absolutely sickening.  

"It is crucial that Jewish adults and children are free to go about their daily lives without fear of intimidation, abuse or harm – and importantly, feel safe to do so.  

"Committing this largest ever funding for security to protect Jewish communities will give people the certainty and confidence they will be kept safer for the foreseeable future. We are also working with the police to ensure that hate crime and expressions of support for the terrorist organisation Hamas are met with the full force of the law."