I would like to take this opportunity to send my best wishes to our Jewish communities around the country for a meaningful Yom Kippur and renewal in the year ahead.

I know that these High Holy Days, which bring their moments of reflection and celebration, have been particularly pertinent this year in what has been an incredibly challenging time for the Jewish community.

In the midst of the ten days spanning Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we commemorated one year since the horrific October 7 Hamas terror attacks – the darkest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust.

In the 12 months following these attacks, so many people continue to be wracked by pain and anguish: for many, this is from the loss of a loved one and for many more, it is also from the hatred and intolerance they’re subjected to for simply existing as a person of Jewish faith.

I would like to take this moment to reaffirm our commitment to the pursuit of peace, the safe return of all those still held hostage in Gaza and for a better future for the Middle East. And to our Jewish communities: we stand with you.

I wish you all well over the fast, and that you find strength and hope in each other.

G’mar Chatimah Tovah.

Angela Rayner MP is the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.