Kyle hosts follow-up meeting to tackle workplace antisemitism
Business Secretary's meeting follows last week's Downing St conference on tackling Jew-hatred.
Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle has convened a high-level meeting bringing together major business groups and Jewish community organisations to address the growing issue of antisemitism across the UK.
The event built on talks held last week at 10 Downing Street and signaled a renewed commitment to combating anti-Jewish hatred, particularly in workplaces.
The meeting, held at the Department for Business and Trade, brought together representatives from leading business associations and Jewish community leaders.
Among those to attend were figures from UK Hospitality, the Institute of Directors, CBI, Creative UK and Make UK, alongside representatives from the Board of Deputies, Jewish Leadership Council and Community Security Trust.
Those attending agreed that tackling anti-Jewish hatred in workplaces is essential to eradicating it from society overall, acknowledging that for too long this challenge had been placed in the “too hard” box.
Participants highlighted the need for clear guidance and resources to help employers show leadership at a time of mounting antisemitic incidents.
Challenges discussed included a lack of awareness, insufficient training, and inadequate reporting mechanisms within organisations.
Attendees also shared individual examples of antisemitism in the workplace and noted failures in training and leadership that have allowed such incidents to persist.
There was consensus on the importance of fostering inclusive workplace cultures and providing robust support for affected staff.
Kyle, reflecting on the meeting, said: “The rise of anti-Jewish hatred in society needs tackling urgently, and workplaces are no exception.
“Yesterday, with business representatives and leaders from Jewish organisations, we discussed practical actions to make sure Jewish people both are and feel safe at work, from mobilising the voice of industry to better training. This is the start of a joint programme of work because, for too long, tackling this has been put in the ‘too hard’ box.”
The Secretary of State outlined key steps for progress, including supporting staff networks, ensuring education on antisemitism is delivered by qualified providers, and improving data collection.
He reiterated the government’s commitment, describing the fight against antisemitism as a priority following last week’s No 10 summit.
A follow-up meeting is planned to monitor progress and ensure that the joint efforts result in meaningful change across UK workplaces.
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