The Government has denied cutting funding for anti-Muslim hate recording and reporting. Last week, reports emerged that ministers had cut all funding for Tell Mama, a non-governmental organization that monitors anti-Muslim hate incidents and provides support for victims, and the group is now facing closure. However, faith minister Lord Khan of Burnley told Parliament that £1 million of funding is available for Tell Mama once they sign the Government's gr, Daily Dazzling Dawn understand.

The situation surrounding government funding for monitoring anti-Muslim hate is complex and has generated significant discussion. Here's a breakdown of the key points:

Changes in Funding:There are reports that the UK government is ending its funding for Tell Mama, a well-established organization that monitors and reports Islamophobic incidents. This has raised concerns about the future of this vital service.

 Government's Stance: The government has stated that it remains committed to combating anti-Muslim hate. They have indicated that they will be opening a call for grant applications to provide a "comprehensive service" to monitor anti-Muslim hatred. This suggests a shift in how the government intends to fund and support these efforts.

Concerns and Criticisms:Critics argue that removing funding from established and experienced organizations like Tell Mama could undermine efforts to effectively monitor and address Islamophobia.There are concerns about the potential impact of these changes, particularly at a time when reports indicate an increase in anti-Muslim hate incidents. There is a clear divide between the governments view that they are changing how funding is delivered, and critics who say the removal of funding from Tell Mama is in effect a funding cut to anti-muslim hate monitoring.

In essence, while the government maintains that it is not cutting funding for monitoring anti-Muslim hate, the changes in how that funding is allocated have sparked considerable debate and concern.

Going forward, there will be an open bidding process for the provision of these services.

Lord Khan said: “Funding for Tell Mama has not ended. We have made £1 million available for Tell Mama this year, subject to them signing the grant funding agreement.

“I had a constructive meeting with Tell Mama yesterday. It would be remiss of me to disclose the details of that conversation, but I am hopeful of a swift resolution.”He told peers that all organisations must sign a standard government agreement before receiving government funds, but that Tell Mama has not yet signed theirs.

The Labour peer said: “As soon as it is signed and returned, we will instruct payment. Following yesterday’s meeting, I am confident this will be resolved soon.”Since its foundation in 2012, Tell Mama has been wholly funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to run its monitoring service, which received almost 11,000 reports in the year 2023-24.

However, Lord Khan said that in future there will be an open bidding process, where various organisations can apply for a government grant to provide the service of monitoring Islamophobia.

He said this will help ensure “greater transparency and value for money” when it comes to grant partnerships.

Lord Khan told the House of Lords: “Combating hate towards Muslims is a priority for this Government.

“We will soon open a call for grant applications to provide a comprehensive service to monitor anti-Muslim hatred and support victims. We encourage Tell Mama to apply.”

He added: “We remain steadfast in our dedication to delivering comprehensive monitoring of anti-Muslim hatred and providing support for victims of it…

“We will soon be opening a call for grant applications for future work in this area. Further details will be provided in due course.

“Moving away from directly awarding grants to an open competitive grant process will ensure greater transparency and value for money in our grant partnerships.”

Shadow faith minister Baroness Scott of Bybrook raised concerns that an open bidding process could lead to a period of time where services are not being provided, as the Government shifts from using one organisation to another.However, Lord Khan said: “Let me reassure the House the service of providing monitoring and reporting of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate will continue… There will be a continuous service.”

Equality and Human Rights Commission chairwoman Baroness Falkner of Margravine said: “I am delighted that the minister confirms to the House that he has not ended funding for this moderate group that does vital work in the community.”

The independent crossbench peer urged the Government to make sure the funding is made available soon as the organisation is “running out of money”.

The decision to open the grant funding to a bidding process comes after concerns were raised about the finances, governance, transparency, quality of work and “associations” of Tell Mama.

Baroness Gohir, who leads the national charity Muslim Women’s Network UK (MWNUK), said she is “really glad” that the funding is being reviewed.

The independent crossbench peer said: “I have been raising red flags and concerns about the Tell Mama project for one year, a 10 page letter, 30 questions, oral questions, written questions.

“I’m glad that has now resulted in an open bidding process.”

Lady Gohir told Parliament in May last year that Muslim communities “do not have trust and confidence in Tell Mama”.

She urged the Government on Thursday to ensure whoever is successful in the bidding process “has community buy-in” and emphasised the benefits of several organisations taking part, because “the Muslim community is very diverse and very large”.

Lord Khan said: “We appreciate the work Tell Mama has done, its a very important piece of work providing the service and they are welcome to apply in terms of the open grant process.”