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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Terms of Reference for the Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition Working Group, for what reason the advice provided to her Department by the independent Working Group will be private.

It is important that government is transparent in the actions it takes to address all forms of hatred. However, any independent work should also have the space to consider sensitive and complex issues in private. This is the approach the Working Group will take when considering the appropriate and sensitive language to describe, understand and define unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone who is perceived to be Muslim.

Once submitted, the Government will review the Working Group’s advice and consider next steps.