Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Community Cohesion

Wednesday 15 May 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government published new guidance for public authorities on 18 December 2023 to remind them of their legal obligations under the public sector equality duty.
  • Anyone in the UK can fly national flags without needing consent from their local authority, according to Government regulations.
  • Government encourages celebrations of ethnic diversity in the country to emphasize equality under the law.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Rosindell Reform Romford
Community Security
Context

The MP is concerned about community relations following recent events and seeks to understand government measures.

Question

What steps the Government are taking to help ensure community cohesion. The 7 October attacks in Israel have strained community relations, leading to questions about acceptable public behaviour.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

Published new guidance for public authorities on 18 December 2023 reminding them of their legal obligations under the public sector equality duty, specifically that they should consider how they contribute to good relations in communities as they deliver public services.

Partly answered
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Q2 Andrew Rosindell Reform Romford
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The MP highlights the symbolic importance of flying national flags in his constituency and seeks government support for this practice.

Question

My right hon. Friend will know that, in Romford, our national, country and county flags—the Union Jack, the cross of St George and the flag of Essex—are flown with great pride as inclusive symbols of our shared identity. Does she agree that all public buildings, schools and organisations should be encouraged to fly the appropriate flags as symbols of unity, patriotism and equality, rather than of division?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

Anyone in the UK is able to fly any of our national flags without needing the consent of their local authority, as per Government regulations that exempt national flags.

Answered
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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Northern Ireland Community Security
Context

The MP is interested in funding opportunities to support community events that highlight cultural heritage and build relationships between different ethnicities.

Question

I thank the Minister for her answers. On community cohesion between different ethnicities, what plans does she have to make funding available to enable community events whereby each member of a community can demonstrate their culture and heritage, with all ages and all groups, and to build relationships in a similar way to what we are doing in Northern Ireland?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

We encourage every celebration of the diversity in ethnicity that we have in this country. The Government want to emphasise equality under the law, with protected characteristics rather than groups.

Not addressed: Specific funding plans for community events

How: We Encourage All Local Communities To Do Just That.

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