Beware religious impositions on women’s health, says NSS
Posted: Thu, 08 Apr 2021
The NSS has urged the government to ensure women's health is prioritised over religious concerns in response to a consultation. Read More »
Regulator decides not to act against ‘conversion therapy’ charity
Posted: Wed, 31 Mar 2021
A charity regulator has refused to act against a Christian organisation which promotes "change orientated therapy" for gay people. Read More »
Teacher suspended after using Muhammad cartoon in class on blasphemy
Posted: Thu, 25 Mar 2021
A teacher has been suspended after using a cartoon of Islam's prophet Muhammad in a religious studies lesson about blasphemy. Read More »
Majority of public opposes places for bishops in Lords, poll finds
Posted: Tue, 23 Mar 2021
A majority of the British public thinks the House of Lords should stop reserving places for C of E bishops, a YouGov poll has found. Read More »
NSS urges repeal of Northern Ireland blasphemy laws
Posted: Wed, 17 Mar 2021
The NSS has called on the Northern Ireland executive to repeal its "archaic" blasphemy laws. Read More »
Church intransigence creates ‘school planning nightmare’ in Somerset
Posted: Tue, 16 Mar 2021
The Church of England's ability to block academisation options is frustrating reorganisation plans and putting schools at risk, the NSS has warned. Read More »
Hate crime bill passes and blasphemy law abolished in Scotland
Posted: Thu, 11 Mar 2021
Scotland's hate crime bill, which will introduce 'stirring up hatred' offences and abolish the blasphemy law, has passed its final vote. Read More »
EasyJet compensates woman over request to indulge religious sexism
Posted: Thu, 11 Mar 2021
EasyJet has paid compensation to a woman who was asked to move seats to accommodate the wishes of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men. Read More »
Major reform of teaching on religion and belief passes in Wales
Posted: Tue, 09 Mar 2021
Legislation which will substantially reform the teaching of religion and belief has passed its final parliamentary vote in Wales. Read More »
Church’s future as charity in doubt after ‘plague protection kits’ row
Posted: Fri, 05 Mar 2021
A regulator has appointed an interim manager to a church after the NSS raised concerns over 'plague protection kits' sold by its bishop. Read More »
French cardinal culpable over failure to disclose child sexual abuse
Posted: Fri, 05 Mar 2021
France's top court has confirmed that Philippe Barbarin, a former Catholic archbishop, is culpable for failing to report child abuse. Read More »
Let women take abortion medication at home permanently, says NSS
Posted: Thu, 04 Mar 2021
The NSS has said measures currently allowing women to have early medical abortions at home should be made permanent across Britain. Read More »
NSS to host book launch for first modern biography of GJ Holyoake
Posted: Thu, 04 Mar 2021
The NSS will host a book launch for the first modern biography of George Holyoake, a key figure in UK secularist history, on 22 April. Read More »
Don’t renege on free speech protection, NSS tells justice minister
Posted: Fri, 26 Feb 2021
The NSS has urged Scotland's justice minister not to dilute protection for free speech on religion in the current hate crime bill. Read More »
NSS research bank shows deep flaws in case for faith schools
Posted: Tue, 23 Feb 2021
A substantial new analysis of academic research has highlighted significant weaknesses in the arguments for state-funded faith schools. Read More »
Community school may be lost as faith-based provision is protected
Posted: Fri, 19 Feb 2021
Parents in Somerset could lose a community school as a result of special provisions which protect faith-based schooling. Read More »
Improve RSE in faith schools to curb forced marriage, campaigners say
Posted: Fri, 19 Feb 2021
Education around forced marriage should be included in mandatory RSE, including in independent faith schools, campaigners have said. Read More »
Confusion over free speech protection on religion in hate crime bill
Posted: Thu, 18 Feb 2021
New proposals could substantially weaken the protection for free speech on religion in the Scottish government's current hate crime bill. Read More »
UK quizzed over collective worship law by UN
Posted: Thu, 18 Feb 2021
A United Nations committee has questioned laws which require collective worship in UK schools after the NSS raised the issue. Read More »
UN quizzes Ireland over institutional abuse and religious schooling
Posted: Thu, 11 Feb 2021
A UN committee has raised accountability for abuse in religious settings and access to secular schools in a report on Ireland. Read More »