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 »
Four new C of E faith schools moving forward with little scrutiny
Posted: Tue, 09 Feb 2021
Four new state-funded Church of England faith schools have moved closer to opening, despite a lack of public scrutiny around the plans. Read More »
Council investigates faith school over large Covid-defying wedding
Posted: Fri, 05 Feb 2021
A local authority has launched a review of governance at a state-funded faith school where a large wedding took place last month. Read More »
New Islamic charity’s website says same-sex attraction is a ‘disease’
Posted: Fri, 29 Jan 2021
The NSS has questioned why an organisation whose website carries deeply homophobic and misogynistic lectures has become a charity. Read More »
Consider labelling laws for non-stun meat, says government committee
Posted: Thu, 28 Jan 2021
Changes in law are needed to ensure meat from non-stun slaughter only reaches religious markets, a government committee has said. Read More »
Give couples greater freedom over where they marry, says NSS
Posted: Fri, 22 Jan 2021
The NSS has welcomed proposals for comprehensive reform of wedding law in England and Wales in response to a consultation. Read More »
Government issues notice to Jewish school which taught creationism
Posted: Sat, 16 Jan 2021
The government has taken action against an independent school which taught creationism as science and refused to enter pupils for GCSEs. Read More »
Irish mother and baby homes inflicted a “profound generational wrong”
Posted: Fri, 15 Jan 2021
A report has highlighted the Irish state's decades-long failure to protect vulnerable women and children at church-run institutions. Read More »
Treat religion equally during pandemic, NSS urges human rights body
Posted: Thu, 14 Jan 2021
The NSS has said it's justifiable to restrict communal religious activities during Covid-19 in a submission to a parliamentary committee. Read More »
Law Commission proposals risk chilling free speech, NSS warns
Posted: Fri, 08 Jan 2021
The NSS has warned that Law Commission proposals on hate crime and communications offences in England and Wales could chill free speech. Read More »
Drop charges against ex-Muslim campaigner in Tanzania, says NSS
Posted: Wed, 06 Jan 2021
The NSS has backed a campaign in defence of Zara Kay, who has been arrested in Tanzania and prevented from leaving the country. Read More »
NSS urges even-handed approach to freedom of religion or belief
Posted: Mon, 21 Dec 2020
The National Secular Society has urged the UK's new envoy on freedom of religion or belief, Fiona Bruce, to take an even-handed rather than selective approach to promoting the principle.
Fiona Bruce was appointed as the prime minister's special envoy for freedom... Read More »
NSS raises case of girl subjected to forced marriage in Pakistan
Posted: Fri, 18 Dec 2020
The NSS has backed a campaign to secure the freedom and safety of a 14-year-old girl who has fled a forced marriage in Pakistan. Read More »
