Equality Party welcomes new legislation recognising disability and LGBTQ+ hate crimes as aggravated offences

The Equality Party has welcomed the actions of the UK government to ensure that disability and LGBTQ+ hate crimes will be formally recognised as aggravated offences in England and Wales under the Crime and Policing Act 2026.

For years, disabled people and LGBTQ+ communities have faced disproportionately high levels of harassment, abuse, and violence, while the law failed to treat these crimes with the same weight as racially or religiously aggravated offences.

This new legislation ensures that harassment or violence based on disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity is now recognised as a distinct crime to be treated as seriously as other crimes motivated by discrimination.

Party Leader, Cllr Kay Wesley said

 “The Equality Party welcomes this new legislation to protect those with disabilities and those from the LGBTQ+ community. For too long, disability and LGBTQ+ hate crimes have not been treated with the same weight as other forms of hate crime. Recognising these offences equally means that all communities are equally protected.”

The new law will establish aggravated versions of offences where there is evidence of hostility based on disability or LGBTQ+ identity. It is expected to improve consistency in charging decisions, strengthen sentencing powers, and send a clear message that hate-motivated abuse and violence will not be tolerated.

Party Leadership Team member and by-election Candidate, Dr Abby Smith, commented:

“This is a significant and hard-won step forward. The law is finally catching up with reality. As a LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse person, I have always known the severity of these crimes, now the legal system will reflect that.

“Sadly, hate crime rates are increasing and the government’s muddled response to the Supreme Court judgement on sex and gender has not helped. Transphobic attacks are at a record high, and government must take responsibility for this and use the law to protect people.

“We will be advocating for proper implementation of this new legislation. We want to see sustained investment in police training, survivor support services, improved police responses, community education and awareness, and most importantly, perpetrators held fully accountable for their crimes.”

ENDS