Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the letter of 19 January from the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to the Inter Faith Network (IFN) about the possible withdrawal of the offer of funding for the financial year 2023–24, what representations they have received from the IFN in response to the Minister's letter; what reply they have made, if any, to these representations; and when a final decision will be taken on funding for IFN's work during the current financial year.

On 19 January, the Secretary of State wrote to the Inter Faith Network (IFN) informing them that he was minded to withdraw the offer of funding for 2023/24. This is in view of a member of the Muslim Council of Britain being appointed to the IFN’s Board of Trustees.

Representations made by the IFN were considered by the Secretary of State. This included the role of their trustees and the process of appointing trustees to their board, and what the effect of withdrawing government funding might be.

The Secretary of State concluded that these points were outweighed by the need to maintain the government’s long-standing stance on engagement with the MCB, and the reputational risk involved.

This Government is supportive of efforts by faith groups and others to bring together people of different faiths and beliefs.