Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that more people from minority faith groups are recruited and retained by the UK armed forces.

Answered by Earl of Minto - Shadow Minister (Defence)

Defence is dedicated to recruiting and retaining the best talent, drawn from the broadest diversity of thought, skills, and background, to reflect the society we serve.

In addition to the various informal Defence staff networks that reflect faith and beliefs, the Armed Forces Chaplaincy is evolving to increase the proportion of minority faith chaplains, as well as non-religious pastoral officers to support Service personnel.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve the faith literacy of those on the public payroll, including (1) civil servants, (2) the police, (3) NHS staff, and (4) HM Prison and Probation Service staff.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

We acknowledge the importance of faith literacy in the civil service and our public services, both to help us to fully understand and celebrate the role of faith in our society, but also to empower government to tackle harmful practices where they occur.

Improving faith literacy is one of the 22 recommendations put forward by Colin Bloom in his independent review of faith engagement. As with all recommendations of the review, the Government will consider this carefully and respond in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their response to the recommendation of Colin Bloom in his report Does government ‘do God?’ An independent review into how government engages with faith, published on 26 April 2023, regarding the appointment of an independent faith champion.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.