Campaign backed by Rochdale MP prompts tougher hate crime laws

Monday, 23 June 2025 10:51

By David Murphy

Rochdale In Rainbows, Sunday 22nd June 2025. Credit: David Murphy

A campaign co-led by Rochdale MP Paul Waugh has succeeded in pushing the government to tighten laws on hate crimes against LGBT+ and disabled people, ensuring they carry the same legal weight as offences motivated by race or religion.

Hate crimes targeting disabled people and the LGBT+ community are set to be treated more severely in law following a cross-party parliamentary campaign backed by Rochdale MP Paul Waugh. The change will make crimes motivated by hostility toward someone’s sexual orientation, gender identity or disability “aggravated offences”, subject to tougher sentences.

Mr Waugh supported an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, originally tabled by Labour MP Rachel Taylor, which has now prompted the government to introduce its own version of the reform in the House of Lords.

During a parliamentary debate, ministers said they had heard the case “loud and clear” and pledged to act. The forthcoming change means that, for the first time, hate crimes against LGBT+ and disabled people will be treated as seriously as those driven by racism or religious hatred.

Mr Waugh, who represents Rochdale, said: “Every victim deserves justice, and there should be no hierarchy when it comes to protecting people from targeted abuse. For too long, these crimes haven’t carried the same weight in law. Today we’ve taken an important step to put that right.”

Referencing this year’s Rochdale Pride, he added: “It was brilliant to see Rochdale's Pride Parade back bigger than ever this year and I hope this amendment will help many in the LGBTQ+ community get the protection they deserve.”

Ms Taylor, MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth, revealed that police recorded more than 40,000 hate crimes related to disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity between March 2023 and 2024. She described the new law as a “great stride forward for equality”.

“This change reflects what victims have been asking for: equal protection under the law,” she said. “I want to thank all those who supported the campaign, I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Currently, such crimes can qualify for enhanced sentencing but only after a conviction. Under the new law, the motivation must be proven during prosecution, strengthening police and legal responses from the outset.

The move follows a 2021 recommendation from the Law Commission and is expected to pass into law within months.

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