BACKBENCH BUSINESS - VOLUNTARY SECTOR: FAITH ORGANISATIONSBACKBENCH BUSINESS

Faith-based organisations played a significant role during the Yorkshire floods over Christmas, especially the Salvation Army and local mosques. They provided crucial help to affected communities, highlighting their importance in emergency relief.

Faith groups are the unsung heroes of society who selflessly look after others day in and day out without seeking recognition. They provide essential support within communities purely for the satisfaction of helping those less fortunate.

Local authorities should improve understanding of faith groups' work. Churches provide essential support to vulnerable people, but local government relations need improvement. Guidance from central Government on religious literacy would help strengthen community cohesion and resilience. Faith groups seek reasonable accommodation for expressing beliefs without proselytisation. Recent Ofsted proposals raise concerns about religious freedom and may deter volunteerism.

Concerns have been expressed by teachers who work in Sunday schools and youth organisations, fearing damage to professional reputations due to potential Ofsted inspections of voluntary initiatives. This could result in withdrawal from such activities, damaging valuable community programmes.

Ofsted should focus on educational standards rather than ideological judgments. Concerns about proposals breaching the European Convention on Human Rights due to restrictions on religious exercise. Proposals risk creating bureaucracy, diverting resources from countering real threats and fostering aggressive secularism. Examples of organisations like Christian Camping International UK highlight potential unintended consequences such as increased bureaucracy and reduced volunteerism.

I congratulate Fiona Bruce on securing the debate and highlight the significant contributions of faith-based organisations to communities. I propose a covenant between local authorities and faith groups to ease constraints that hinder collaboration, aiming to recognise and support the positive impact these organisations have in areas such as welfare to work, health, youth services, and international aid.

Timms supports the initiative and praises Birmingham City Council as the first locality to sign up to the covenant in December 2014. He notes that faith-based groups can help local authorities manage budget cuts by running services, transferring assets, and commissioning services from these groups. Timms further discusses various projects such as #TOYOURCREDIT, a credit union initiative by the Archbishop of Canterbury, which has engaged over 200 churches and trained credit champions to bring in new members.

Lefroy congratulates Fiona Bruce and Stephen Timms for securing the debate. He emphasises that people of faith not only work with faith-based organisations but also volunteer in other non-faith based voluntary organisations, highlighting their extensive contributions to communities beyond what is discussed today.

Mr. Lefroy highlighted the crucial role of faith-based organisations in his constituency, including street pastors, children’s bereavement charities, and food banks like House of Bread. He stressed the need for long-term funding and consistent support rather than short-term contracts. He also emphasised the importance of co-operation between local authorities and faith groups, praising their positive relationship in Staffordshire. Training for volunteers was another key point, as Mr. Lefroy argued that initial training and refresher courses are essential to maintain volunteer engagement over years or decades.

Ms. Bruce agreed with Mr. Lefroy on the issue of funding, suggesting proactive help from local authorities in bid-writing for faith-based organisations and simplified forms for national initiatives to make it easier for these groups to access funds.

Congratulates Fiona Bruce and Stephen Timms for securing the debate; speaks about his background in faith-based organisations; emphasises that faith-based organisations play a significant role in communities through various services like food banks, pre-schools, youth clubs, meals and shelter for the homeless, elderly or lonely, groups working with ex-offenders and those suffering from addiction. Cites a 2014 report which estimated the value of time given by volunteers to be £20 million annually in Cornwall alone; highlights historical contributions of faith-based individuals like Wilberforce, Florence Nightingale, Rev. Chad Varah, and street pastors.

Commends Marriage Care for the work it does in providing relationship counselling and marriage preparation classes; mentions that it has 600 trained volunteers founded 70 years ago to help ex-servicemen and their families rebuild relationships.

Reaffirms the Church's significant role in supporting marriage and family; highlights the Church’s practical approach, flexibility, and quick response to community needs; praises Prime Minister for acknowledging the work of faith-based organisations; mentions Queen Elizabeth II's acknowledgment of her deep personal faith and its sustenance.

Extends appreciation to Queen Elizabeth II, highlighting her deep personal faith as a source of motivation in her sense of duty towards citizens over decades.

Reiterates the importance of acknowledging the role of Christians and Church in society; highlights concerns regarding the erosion of freedom to exercise faith due to equality measures; expresses hope that the Government will reconsider proposals like forcing Sunday school groups to register with Ofsted; urges the Minister to affirm support for faith-based organisations and their vital work.

I join those who have thanked the hon. Member for Congleton and my right hon. Friend the Member for East Ham for bringing forward today’s debate on an issue of real importance... Faith groups will play an increasingly important role, and not just in the way that we deliver services. She mentions community cohesion; we have in our society challenges of integration and understanding, and in dispelling myths. Community groups are right on the frontline of communities and are able to bridge divides and break down myths and boundaries...

Faith is a deeply personal and individual thing that inspires people to achieve more. It contributes significantly to the charitable sector, with nearly 50,000 faith-based charities accounting for 27% of all registered charities in the UK. The speaker also highlighted the work of street pastors, who provide support to those in need late at night. He mentioned a personal experience where he assisted someone affected by alcohol and how street pastors provided her with water, shoes, and emotional support.

Contributed an intervention mentioning the role of faith organisations during floods in his constituency. He noted that Christian groups and mosques worked together to provide effective support to those affected by severe weather conditions.

Referred to faith groups as 'unsung heroes' but acknowledged their significant contributions in the debate, highlighting the need for recognition and engagement with these organisations.

Asked the Minister to reflect on the Oasis Trust’s proposal that the covenant should be sponsored by the Government and spread among local authorities across the country. He emphasised the importance of governmental support in enhancing the reach and impact of faith-based initiatives.

Welcomed contributions from Members highlighting the work of faith organisations and charities in their communities. Emphasised the importance of consistent funding for voluntary organisations, stressing the need to balance public money protection with organisational independence. Highlighted the value of training programmes and quick response capabilities of faith-driven communities during disasters, acknowledging the significant financial contribution made by faith groups. Called on the Government to recognise the importance of faith in society.

Asked for a written response from the Minister regarding promoting religious literacy across communities and exploring the concept of reasonable accommodation. Raised concerns about policies potentially having a chilling effect on free speech for people of faith and requested a Government response to proposals on out-of-school settings.