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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to place in the Library of the House a summary of (1) each meeting between the Minister for Faith, Communities and Resettlement the chair of the Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition Working Group, and (2) any advice received from the working group; and if they do not plan to do so, why not.

The Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Working Group’s terms of reference have been published on GOV.UK.

The Terms of Reference note that the advice the Group produces will be private initially, giving the Government the time and space to consider recommendations, including what a proposed definition/s should be and the merits for adopting a definition.

It is important that government is transparent in the actions it takes to address all forms of hatred, however any independent work should also have the space to consider sensitive and complex issues in private. This is the approach the Working Group will take when considering the appropriate and sensitive language to describe, understand and define unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone who is perceived to be Muslim.

Once the Government has had time to review the advice, it will consider its next steps.