Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will be taking to ensure that local authorities adhere to the duty to conduct a comprehensive equality impact assessment when deciding whether or not to approve applications to open new voluntary-aided faith schools which are legally permitted to select all of their pupils on religious grounds.

Alongside the launch of the capital scheme for new voluntary-aided schools, the department published updated statutory guidance for proposers and decision makers on opening and closing maintained schools. This guidance is attached.

The guidance sets out the requirements for the decision maker to adhere to the Public Sector Equality Duty. They are also required to consider the impact of any proposals on the relevant protected characteristics and any issues that may arise from the proposals.