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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure advice provided to ministers by the Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition Working Group is open to scrutiny by Parliament.

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.