News

Islamophobia anthology

‘Islamophobia’ definition curtails free speech, campaigners warn

The widespread adoption of a proposed definition of 'Islamophobia' risks curtailing freedom of speech and the exposure... Read More »

IT use

Jewish school may severely restrict families’ IT use, says DfE

The government has said it will not prevent an independent Jewish girls' school from placing severe restrictions on... Read More »

Couple holding hands

NSS: don’t let religious groups discriminate on civil partnerships

The National Secular Society has warned against allowing religious groups to host opposite-sex civil partnerships... Read More »

Religious reps report

End religious appointees on Scottish education committees, NSS says

The National Secular Society has urged members of the Scottish parliament to remove religious appointees from councils'... Read More »

Repeal blasphemy laws

NSS urges government to review its language on blasphemy laws

The National Secular Society has asked the government to review its stance on blasphemy laws amid concern that ministers... Read More »

Vaccine

Public Health England changes vaccination advice after NSS lobbying

A public health body has removed a suggestion that people seek advice from "faith leaders" over whether to vaccinate... Read More »

Public Health England logo

NSS questions Public Health England advice over flu vaccine

The National Secular Society has asked why a public health body is encouraging parents to seek advice from religious... Read More »

School assembly

Parents challenge academy’s Christian assemblies in court

A couple have launched a legal challenge against a primary school over its assemblies where children take part in... Read More »

IICSA inquiry logo

Domestic abuse campaigners given formal role at IICSA inquiry

Campaigners against domestic abuse within minority religious communities will be give formal roles in hearings into... Read More »

Defend free speech

Government admits it’s struggled to define extremism

The government has "struggled" to define extremism, the home secretary has said, after a consultation found significant... Read More »

Brian Leach

Employee sacked for sharing clip mocking religion is reinstated

A man who was sacked by the supermarket chain Asda for sharing a video clip of the comedian Billy Connolly mocking... Read More »

Prayer

NSS urges councillors in Norfolk to scrap prayers before meetings

The National Secular Society has urged councillors in Norfolk to abandon the practice of holding prayers at the start... Read More »

Church of England

Just 12% of Brits are affiliated to C of E, major survey reveals

The National Secular Society has called for a "serious rethink" of religion's public role after major research revealed... Read More »

Classroom

Government warns Islamic independent school over sex segregation

An Islamic independent school that segregates male and female pupils has been warned by the government almost two... Read More »

BBC Broadcasting House

BBC dilutes protections for religious ideas after NSS lobbying

The BBC has watered down some protections for religious ideas but retained a clause placing a premium on depictions... Read More »

Local government & social care ombudsman

Watchdog backs council which put child’s needs before parents’ religion

A local government watchdog has dismissed a Muslim parent's complaint that a council failed to regard his son's "religious... Read More »

School sign

Seventh Day Adventist schools warned over safeguarding concerns

Two independent Seventh Day Adventist schools, one of which demonstrated a "victim-blaming approach" to safeguarding,... Read More »

Welby and Sentamu

Anglican archbishops severely criticised at abuse inquiry

Senior figures in the Church of England including the archbishops of Canterbury and York have faced severe criticism... Read More »

Online harm

Government online harm plans could curb free expression, NSS warns

The National Secular Society has warned that government plans to require social media companies to censor "hateful"... Read More »

NSPCC child abuse guidance

NSS questions NSPCC’s child abuse guidance for 'Jewish communities'

The National Secular Society has challenged guidance from a child abuse charity which withholds and alters information... Read More »

George Eustice

Former farming minister calls for free vote on religious slaughter

The former farming minister George Eustice MP has called on all political parties to make restrictions on religious... Read More »

Asda

Asda sacks man for sharing comic sketch mocking religion

The supermarket chain Asda has sacked a man for sharing a sketch of the comedian Billy Connolly mocking religions... Read More »

School lesson

Schools told to take account of pupils’ religious background in RSE

The government will require schools in England to take "the religious background of all pupils into account" during... Read More »

Morning after pill

NSS asks regulator to investigate pharmacist’s contraception refusal

The National Secular Society has asked a medical regulator to investigate an incident in which a pharmacist reportedly... Read More »

Doctor taking blood pressure

GP investigated over repeated proselytism after NSS raises concerns

A medical watchdog is investigating a GP who continues to proselytise to patients despite a warning not to do so after... Read More »

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