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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment their Department has made of trends in the level of discrimination faced by (a) Sikhs and (b) Jews as ethnic groups in the provision of their Department's services.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Public bodies usually collect ethnicity data in line with the ethnicity harmonised standard, which is developed by the independent Office for National Statistics.

The current harmonised standard is based on the 2011 Census questions used across the UK; those questions were updated for the 2021 and 2022 Censuses. The current standard does not include specific “Sikh” and “Jewish” categories for a person’s ethnic group.

The ONS is reviewing the harmonised standard to ensure this remains appropriate and meets the needs of both data users and respondents. In October 2025, the ONS launched its ‘Harmonisation Ethnicity consultation’ on user needs for additional response options in a future ethnicity standard.

All forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable, including that directed at Sikhs and Jewish people. The Government continues to work closely with the police and community partners to combat these forms of hatred, wherever and however it manifests.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment their Department has made of trends in the level of discrimination faced by (a) Sikhs and (b) Jews as ethnic groups in the provision of their Department's services.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Our 10-Year Health Plan for England sets out a reimagined service designed to tackle inequalities in both access and outcomes. This includes tackling the conditions where there are the greatest disparities for ethnic or religious groups.

There is currently limited information held in the Department on levels of discrimination faced by Sikhs and Jews.

Indicators to monitor progress in health inequalities are measured in key health outcomes. For example, there is data on health and disability status from the 2021 Census that suggests that self-reported ill health and disability in those of Sikh and Jewish religions are both lower than the average for England and Wales. Further information on the 2021 Census is available at the following link:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/religion/articles/religionbyhousinghealthemploymentandeducationenglandandwales/census2021

NHS England published an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion improvement plan for the National Health Service workforce in 2023. It sets out targeted actions to address the prejudice and discrimination, both direct and indirect, that exists through behaviour, policies, practices, and cultures against certain groups and individuals across the NHS workforce. The plan was co-produced through engagement with staff networks and senior leaders. NHS boards track, monitor, and put in place improvement plans to tackle prejudice and discrimination in the NHS workforce.

In October 2025, the Prime Minister ordered an urgent review of antisemitism and all forms of racism in the NHS, as part of wider efforts to tackle discrimination in the health service.

NHS England has since announced further measures to address racism and antisemitism, including the strengthening of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training and revising uniform guidance to ensure patients and their colleagues feel respected in NHS settings. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-tackle-antisemitism-and-other-racism-in-the-nhs