MPs strengthen law on hate crimes following campaign backed by Marie Tidball MP

MPs have voted to introduce tougher sentences for hate crimes committed against disabled and LGBT+ people by making the crimes an “aggravated offence”, following the backing of an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill. Marie co-sponsored the amendment, supporting Rachel Taylor MP who proposed it.

The new law will make serious crimes motivated by prejudice against anyone because of their disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity “aggravated” offences – placing them on an equal footing to hate crimes which are motivated by race or religion. This means that police forces will be able to properly identify hate crimes motivated by disability, homophobia, transphobia and misogyny. Perpetrators of these crimes will face the higher maximum penalties they deserve, and victims will have more time to access justice.

The campaign was backed by Marie Tidball MP, who was a key signatory, and over 100 other cross-party MPs who added their name to Rachel Taylor MP’s amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill. The Government agreed to the amendment at the despatch box in the Commons, and later introduced the change in the law as a Government amendment in the House of Lords.

Following the vote by MPs, Marie Tidball and Rachel Taylor hosted an event in Parliament to celebrate the landmark moment, bringing together disability, women’s and LGBTQ+ rights charities and organisations. Policing Minister, Sarah Jones MP, made a speech at the event, marking the Government’s commitment to drawing a line in the sand against hate.

Marie Tidball, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said:

“I was so proud to work with other MPs and the Government to strengthen hate crime law and demonstrate that the perpetrators of this vile abuse should have nowhere to hide.“Hate is dividing our society, hate crime is still happening and it is having a devastating impact. But disabled people don’t divide our society, we enrich it.“Before I was elected, I researched the experiences of disabled people in the criminal justice system for 14 years. I know the enormous impact that strengthening this law will have in ensuring victims of hate crime access the justice they have been denied up to this point. Even more crucially, this amendment will be pivotal in creating a society where we are all disabled people are treated with dignity and respect.”

Rachel Taylor MP, Labour MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth, said:

“It’s shocking that 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 hate crimes based on race and religion.“I am absolutely delighted that the government have listened to me, for the support of Marie Tidball, and the cross-party MPs who supported this vital change in the law, and that MPs voted for that change to become law.”