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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what activities were undertaken by participants in his Department's A Year in Service scheme in 2012.

A ‘Year of Service’ was the joint initiative of nine faith communities, facilitated by my Department with the Mitzvah Day Charitable Trust. It aimed to celebrate volunteering among people of faith, support integration through cross faith social action connected to faith festivals, and showcase the ongoing volunteering in faith communities. Its inspiration was the dedicated service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in her Jubilee year, along with the imperative to serve found in the writings and beliefs of each faith community.

It is one of a number of integration projects that my Department is funding to bring people together from different backgrounds and help build stronger communities in partnership with voluntary organisations, businesses and local residents.

During 2012, nearly 200 multi-faith projects were supported. I have placed in the Library of the House a copy of the end of project report. The ongoing ‘Together in Service’ programme builds on its success.