Date: 12th June 2025
To: HM Treasury
From: Hindu Council UK
Subject: Response to the 2025 Spending Review
Introduction
The Hindu Council UK (HCUK) acknowledges the strategic scope and priorities outlined in the 2025 Spending Review. As a national umbrella organisation representing the British Hindu community, we recognise the importance of investment in national security, healthcare modernisation, housing, education, and technological innovation. However, we also raise serious concerns about the implications of cuts to foreign aid, and the lack of specific provision for minority and faith communities, who are vital partners in Britain’s social and economic fabric.
- Foreign Aid Cuts and International Humanitarian Support
The 8.3% cut to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is of particular concern to the British Hindu community, many of whom have strong familial, charitable, and economic ties to countries in South Asia and Africa. These cuts could undermine humanitarian work and religious diplomacy in regions with strong diaspora links.
Recommendation:
We urge the Treasury to protect funding for humanitarian partnerships, including those run by British Hindu charities providing disaster relief, education, and healthcare in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and East Africa.
Example:
The British Hindu diaspora has supported COVID relief and disaster aid in India through charities like Sewa UK and BAPS Charities. Continued UK support helps amplify these efforts and strengthen soft power relationships.
- Defence and Border Security
While we understand the need for increased defence spending in a volatile geopolitical environment, we encourage a balance that ensures domestic investment in inter-community cohesion, civil liberties, and anti-Hindu hate crime (Hindumisia) measures is not overlooked.
Recommendation:
Allocate a proportional amount of domestic security funding to protect places of worship and community centres from religiously motivated hate crimes.
Example:
Support Hindu temples with grants from the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme to address the recent rise in vandalism and online abuse.
- NHS Modernisation and Culturally Competent Care
We commend the £29bn annual uplift for the NHS and the commitment to digital transformation. However, the needs of faith-based and ethnically diverse communities require greater attention within healthcare delivery models.
Recommendation:
Incorporate funding for community health navigators and training for NHS staff on cultural competencies, including Hindu dietary needs, end-of-life care, and religious observances.
Example:
Funding partnerships with Hindu organisations to provide community-led mental health and dementia support for Hindu elders, particularly in temple settings.
- Education and Skills
We welcome the expansion of free school meals and the £1.2bn annual investment in training and apprenticeships. However, we emphasise the need to support supplementary and faith-based educational institutions that help maintain cultural identity and language among second- and third-generation British Hindus.
Recommendation:
Extend eligibility for capital or curriculum development grants to Hindu supplementary schools offering Sanskrit, Hindu ethics, and Indian classical arts.
Example:
Funding for schools like the Avanti Trust or Swaminaryan schools operating in temple communities to expand their capacity and curriculum.
- Housing and Social Infrastructure
The £39bn investment in social and affordable housing is an important and welcome commitment. Housing access remains a priority in urban areas with significant Hindu populations such as Leicester, London, Birmingham, and Harrow.
Recommendation:
Ensure equitable access to housing schemes for multi-generational households and ethnic minority communities, whose needs differ from the average model.
Example:
Support for large, intergenerational housing initiatives that reflect the living arrangements of many Hindu families, which could reduce public spending on elder care and homelessness.
- Artificial Intelligence and High-Tech Innovation
The £2bn investment in home-grown AI and the record £22bn R&D funding are vital for economic growth. The British Hindu community includes a high proportion of professionals in STEM sectors.
Recommendation:
Ensure inclusive access to AI innovation grants, and support faith- and ethnicity-inclusive tech entrepreneurship.
Example:
Create AI training and business incubation schemes with outreach to British Hindu youth in collaboration with Hindu business networks, such as the City Hindu Network.
Conclusion
The 2025 Spending Review lays the groundwork for sustained national development. However, the Hindu Council UK respectfully urges HM Treasury to ensure that:
- Investments are equitably distributed across Britain’s religious communities.
- Cuts to international aid do not undercut our moral and diplomatic obligations.
- The role of the Hindu community is recognised in delivering education, healthcare, housing, and community cohesion.
We welcome the opportunity to work with the Treasury and relevant departments to promote inclusive policy development for all communities.
Yours sincerely,
Dipen Rajyaguru
Director of Equality and Inclusion
Hindu Council UK