BHA briefs MPs ahead of Localism Bill
MPs are set to debate the government’s flagship legislation which gives legal weight to its ‘Big Society’ agenda. The BHA has briefed MPs ahead of the Localism Bill’s ‘second reading’ in the House of Commons on Monday 17th January, warning of a threat to inclusive and secular public services if the Bill is not amended to prevent religious discrimination.
BHA Head of Public Affairs Naomi Phillips commented, ‘Decentralisation and localism are high on the government’s agenda, and part of that is its aim to contract out more and more public services to private, voluntary and civil society organisations. The Localism Bill contains a new right for community groups to apply to take over local services. Our concern is about what happens when religious groups win bids to take on such services and then discriminate on religious grounds when they provide them.
‘With this Bill, parliamentarians have a real opportunity to ensure that public services are kept secular, inclusive and accessible to all regardless of their personal beliefs. We’ve recommended that amendments are made to the Bill to ensure that if religious groups are to run public services, they are not legally able to place religious requirements on jobs or to restrict the service to those of their preferred denomination.
‘We will be working with the All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group and others throughout the course of the Localism Bill, and we will create ways for our members and supporters to get involved with our campaign for shared and secular public services.’
Notes
For further comment or information, contact Naomi Phillips on 020 7079 3585.
Read the BHA’s briefing for MPs on the Localism Bill www.humanism.org.uk.
The British Humanist Association is the national charity representing and supporting the interests of ethically concerned, non-religious people in the UK. It is the largest organisation in the UK campaigning for an end to religious privilege and to discrimination based on religion or belief, and for a secular state.
Naomi Phillips
Head of Public Affairs
British Humanist Association (BHA)
1 Gower Street, London WC1E 6HD
Tel: 020 7079 3585
Mob: 07540 257101
Fax: 020 7079 3588
Find us on social networking sites via www.humanism.org.uk
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