§ Lord Ouseleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How they intend to implement their strategy to combat religious discrimination. [HL3868]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalWe are currently undertaking a review of the way that the Government relate to faith communities. This review will lay the foundations for the effective long-term involvement of the faith communities' perspectives and needs in policy development across government.
The Government have introduced new legislation to tackle discrimination on grounds of religion or belief. The Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 will come into force in December 2003 and will prohibit discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief in the areas of employment and vocational training.
We have also recently created a new unit in the Home Office—the Faith Communities Unit. Its work will support our efforts to address issues of religious discrimination.
We believe that these initiatives will enable us for the first time to identify and tackle the disadvantages faced by the members of religious communities in a structured and coherent way.