England to be more aggressive tackling harm caused by religious groups

RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – Ministers in England are told to “be more aggressive in tackling oppression, violence and radicalisation in religious settings”.

The Guardian has a advice in a report from Colin Bloom, the government’s Faith Engagement Adviser, which reviews the relationship between faith and the state in recent times.

The Guardian quotes sources saying the recommendations will urge action on “issues ranging from unregulated faith schools to forced marriage and religious nationalism”.

It suggests that the measures to confront harm caused by religious groups are likely to be resisted by faith leaders who object to intervention in religious matters.

Sources “close to the process” have told the Guardian that the report will also “stress the positive impact of religion and formal worship on adherents and society more widely. Some of the proposals will be designed to bolster religion as a core element of British society, including more resources for religious education to be taught in schools, and more money to hire chaplains in prisons, schools and universities”.

The Guardian says the report is due to be unveiled by Michael Gove’s Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities within weeks.