Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, to provide a breakdown of all religious festivals celebrated by the Department in 2023.

The Faith & Belief Network (FBN) supports DWP colleagues and managers and the department by providing insight into issues relating to Faith, Belief and Non-Belief.

In 2023, DWP celebrated or signposted to the following faith festivals and events, via blogs, live events and podcasts:

• World Religion Day - 15/01/23
• Holocaust Memorial Day - 27/01/23
• World Hijab Day – 01/02/23
• Tu Bishvat and Imbolc (Pagan and Jewish colleagues reflect on the festivals of Tu Bishvat and Imbolc) – 06/02/23
• Month of Festivals (Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Paganism and Jewish networks as we celebrate Ramadan, Easter, Holi, Hola Mahalla, Spring Equinox and Purim) – March 2023
• Easter celebration – 04/04/23
• Jewish Passover – 05/04/23
• Eid-Ul-Fitr Celebration – 17/04/23
• Buddha Day – 26/05/23
• World Humanist Day - 21/06/24
• Summer Solstice – 25/06/23
• Hajj & Pilgrimage Event (Eid) – 03/07/23
• Pioneers Day (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) – 24/07/23
• South Asian Heritage Month – 18/07/23 – 17/08/23
• Jewish festival of Rosh Hashanah – 15/09/23
• Autumn Equinox – 21/09/23
• Black History Month – 10/23
• Halloween and the Pagan New Year – 31/10/23
• Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM) – 11/23
• Interfaith Week - 12-19/11/23
• Diwali Celebration - 11/11/23
• Christmas Celebrations - 06/12/23
• Winter Solstice – 21/12/23