During the past week, the Conservative MP for Southend West David Amess has received answers from the government to questions on anti-Semitism and higher education and on the government’s plans to reduce anti-Semitism overseas.

Arguing that “there is no place for racism of any form, including anti-Semitism, in higher education”, the skills secretary David Willetts MP stated in response that universities have “primary responsibility” for ensuring students are not subject to abusive behaviour on campus, adding that the government would expect them to vigorously tackle these issues.

He added that the previous government provided updated guidance to higher education institutions on “Promoting Good Campus Relations, Fostering Shared Values and Preventing Violent Extremism in Universities and Higher Education Colleges”, available here. He also stated that a meeting between the Jewish community and high education stakeholders is in the process of being arranged.

In response to David Amess’s question on international anti-Semitism, foreign office minister Jeremy Browne said that combating all forms of racism remains an “important part of the government’s human rights agenda”. He added that the government supports the All Party Parliamentary Group on anti-Semitism in its work tackling the issue across Europe. 

A few parliamentary written questions of interest were answered yesterday on the gypsy and traveller communities, local government services for asylum, anti-semitism in schools and the government’s prevent strategy. Read today's post in full for details. 

Welcome to the first post of Runnymede’s Westminster Monitor blog. There are two items of interest from parliament and Whitehall today – an EDM from Labour MP Andrew Dismore on antisemitism on Facebook, and a consultation from the Home Office on asylum.