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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what role Ministers in the Office for Equality and Opportunity have in policy development and decisions on faith and belief; and whether Equalities Ministers attend MHCLG Ministerial meetings.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) leads the Government’s work to support and engage faith and belief groups, and coordinates the Government’s work to tackle religious hatred. While the Minister for Homelessness, Democracy, Communities and Faith in MHCLG holds primary responsibility for faith and belief policy, they will work with other Ministers from across government who develop policy and make decisions that may impact faith and belief communities. For example, the Office for Equality and Opportunity is responsible for the Equality Act 2010, including its protections against discrimination and harassment on the basis of religion or belief.