APPG on Faith and Society

News from the All-Party Parliamentary Group

APPG on Faith and Society Calls for Support for Faith Covenant

APPG on Faith and Society Calls for Support for Faith Covenant

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Faith and Society, chaired by the Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, has pressed today for national support and uptake of the Faith Covenant. The Covenant, developed after hearing evidence from faith groups across the country, was the idea of David Lammy MP, who was keen to develop a set of principles that faith groups and local authorities could adopt to promote joint working. Since its development in 2013, six local authorities have recognised the significance and potential of the...

Commons Chamber Debate on the Contribution of Faith Organisations to the Voluntary Sector in Communities

On Thursday 5th May, there was a general debate in the House of Commons Chamber amongst MPs on ‘the contribution of faith organisations to the voluntary sector in communities’. The debate was scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee after the issue was raised in a meeting by Fiona Bruce MP and Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, both members of the APPG on Faith and Society. A video of Fiona Bruce MP and Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP’s representation to the Committee is available below, courtesy...

Recent Events

Updated 5th May 2016: Minutes from these events have now been made available. The Counter-Extremism Strategy What are the responses and concerns of faith groups to the Counter-Extremism strategy – and should people of faith be more concerned? Speakers: Liam Byrne MP, Fiona Bruce MP, educational consultant David Brown and others tbc Date: Tuesday 22 March Time: 3:00pm – 4:30pm Location: Jubilee Room, House of Commons (entrance via Cromwell Gate) Minutes of this meeting are available Commission on Religion and Belief in British Public Life ...

Calderdale Council Signs Faith Covenant

We’re pleased to announce that Calderdale has become the latest area to sign up to the Faith Covenant. On 25th November 2015, Calderdale become the latest local authority to sign the Faith Covenant developed by the APPG on Faith and Society, of which FaithAction is the secretariat. Members of the local council – including Council Leader Cllr Tim Swift, Mayor of Calderdale Cllr Lisa Lambert, and Member for Halifax Holly Lynch MP – met with representatives of local faith groups to make a commitment to...

Theos Writes on The Problem of Proselytism

As a follow-up to the launch of the Theos report, The Problem of Proselytism, at an event hosted by the APPG and FaithAction at the House of Commons in October, Theos’ Director of Political Programme Peter Bickley has written a companion piece to the report, which is available via the FaithAction site. In our research with the Church Urban Fund, published last year, we found that roughly 10 million people in England were using church or church-based community services every year. Faith-based services are amongst...

Solihull Council Signs the Faith Covenant

We’re delighted that Solihull has become the latest area to sign up to the Faith Covenant! On 21st September 2015, Solihull become the latest local authority to sign the Faith Covenant developed by the APPG on Faith and Society, of which FaithAction is the secretariat. Members of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and local faith groups came together at an event celebrating the work of faith groups in the Solihull area, and made a commitment to work together in support of their community. The event was...

Faith, hope and charity: can we overcome the problem of proselytism?

Details 20th October, 3pm – 4pm Committee Room 15, House of Commons About The APPG on Faith and Society, in partnership with FaithAction, will be hosting Theos for a debate around proselytism and the third sector. With near 3.5 million people in the UK benefiting from the work of faith-based organisations each year, the size and variety of help is ever growing. Along with this there is a greater diversity of organisations providing the help, each with their own view on whether they should or...

Barnet Council Signs the Faith Covenant

We’re proud to announce that Barnet has become the latest area to sign up to the Faith Covenant.   On 9th September 2015, Barnet Council and representatives from local faith groups – including Mayor Mark Shooter, Deputy Council Leader Daniel Thomas, and Chair of the Barnet Multi Faith Forum Esmond Rosen – made a commitment to work together in delivering the services needed by the community. Speaking at the event, Mr. Rosen said, Barnet Council and the Barnet Multi Faith Forum are agreeing to respect...

The Covenant in Practice: Leeds

Leeds signed the Covenant on 5th March 2015. Here is a perspective from Leeds City Council on their involvement in the process. What has the Council been up to since adopting the Covenant? Leeds City Council is interested in training and equipping faith groups to engage more often and more effectively with the local authority. It is also keen to engage more faith groups in involving their communities in sport and physical activity. Public health officials in the city are developing an effective framework for...

Northamptonshire Council Signs the Faith Covenant

We’re pleased to announce that Northamptonshire has become the third local authority to sign up to the Faith Covenant. On Wednesday 17th June, Northamptonshire Council and representatives from local faith groups made a commitment to work together in delivering the services needed by the community.