Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of a reduction in prison chaplaincy service provision on the ability of faith advisers to provide an equitable service to prisoners and their families.

Answered by Lord Timpson - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

There has been no reduction in prison chaplaincy provision or in the role of faith advisers, who continue to play a vital part in advising chaplains and staff on specific matters of faith or belief and the endorsement of nominated chaplains in HMPPS.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of failing to include other faiths, including Sikhs, in the terms of reference for the Working Group on Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition.

Answered by Lord Khan of Burnley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

All forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable, including that directed at Sikhs. Hate crime has no place in our communities. Our efforts to build a country of tolerance and inclusion apply to people of all faiths and none.

The government recognises that the common misidentification of Sikhs as Muslims can compound the burden of religious hatred and discrimination faced by Sikhs. The terms of reference for the group recognise that anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia can also impact communities that are perceived to be Muslim, and that cultural markers adopted by wider faith communities like Sikh, Hindu, Jain and Buddhists are often used to attack communities that are mistakenly identified as Muslim.

The group will consult with a wide variety of stakeholders to ensure that the voices of all relevant stakeholders are heard and considered.

Though the work of the Group will be independent, Ministers and officials will meet regularly to ensure the work is developing in line with the objective set out in the Terms of Reference. The Government retains the right to not accept the recommendations made by the Working Group.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to include Sikhs in discussions about a definition of Islamophobia, given Sikhs are frequently mistaken for Muslims in incidents of hate crime.

Answered by Lord Khan of Burnley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

All forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable, including that directed at Sikhs. Hate crime has no place in our communities. Our efforts to build a country of tolerance and inclusion apply to people of all faiths and none.

The government recognises that the common misidentification of Sikhs as Muslims can compound the burden of religious hatred and discrimination faced by Sikhs. The terms of reference for the group recognise that anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia can also impact communities that are perceived to be Muslim, and that cultural markers adopted by wider faith communities like Sikh, Hindu, Jain and Buddhists are often used to attack communities that are mistakenly identified as Muslim.

The group will consult with a wide variety of stakeholders to ensure that the voices of all relevant stakeholders are heard and considered.

Though the work of the Group will be independent, Ministers and officials will meet regularly to ensure the work is developing in line with the objective set out in the Terms of Reference. The Government retains the right to not accept the recommendations made by the Working Group.