Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his planned reforms to sections 3 and 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998 will ensure that references to religion in legislation and guidance will be interpreted as religion or belief.

In December, the Deputy Prime Minister announced that the Government is consulting on proposals to overhaul and replace the Human Rights Act (HRA) with a Bill of Rights. The consultation process is ongoing and we are carefully considering the impact of proposed policies on the legislative framework and legal systems of each devolved nation within the UK. Engagement with stakeholders, including in the devolved administrations, is underway and roundtable events with religious, humanist and secularist groups are planned. In line with our manifesto commitment, we want to ensure there is a proper balance between the rights of individuals, our national security and effective government.