NSS: Civil society ‘reset’ must protect secular public services

The Government must protect secular public services as it embarks on a 'reset' with civil society organisations (CSOs), says the National Secular Society.

In October the Government launched a 'Civil Society Covenant Framework' to "reset the relationship with civil society and build a new partnership that can harness civil society's full potential to rebuild our country".

The covenant will "apply to all" CSOs, and will support them to "to speak out in line with their purpose".

Extremism

Responding to a consultation on the covenant, the NSS said it was "imperative" the Government does not collaborate with organisations which "express views inimical to fundamental British values".

Amongst others, the NSS cited the example of the Islamic charity Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre. In a lecture published on the charity's YouTube account in August, the mosque's imam said it is "important and an obligation" upon a woman that she "makes herself available for her husband as it relates to the physical intimacy". The charity also provides "domestic abuse support".

Last year the Government awarded a £2.2m "Youth Investment Fund" grant to the charity, which was paused after the NSS raised concerns about its history of misogyny, homophobia and antisemitism.

The NSS also pointed to the 44 charities it referred to regulator for promoting division, extremism and antisemitism in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel. As of April 2024, the Charity Commission had referred 30 charities to the police.

Proselytisation

The NSS highlighted the risk of proselytisation when outsourcing public services to religious groups.

In 2022, for example, the Government's 'faith new deal pilot fund' awarded £7,747 to All Souls Serve the City, a group which aims to bring "biblical truth" to trafficked women. The faith new deal pilot fund was exclusive to religious groups - charities without a religious ethos could not apply.

Research suggests around half of Christian charities in Britain agree with the statement: "Through our activities we aim to increase the number of people who share our faith".

The NSS noted how a non-proselytising clause set out in the 'faith covenant' written by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on faith and society was removed following pressure from religious groups. Over 20 local authorities have signed up to this 'faith covenant', according to the APPG.

Discrimination

The NSS also expressed concern about the Government partnering with groups that discriminate against women and LGBT people in hiring and provision of services.

It cited the employment policy of Taunton Baptist Church, a registered charity, which states: "any job applicant / employee in a sexual relationship must be married to a person of the opposite sex".

The NSS said such policies are "diametrically opposed" to the covenant's principle of participation.

Even without such explicit policies, the NSS said groups which espouse misogyny and homophobia "may implicitly discourage" women and LGBT people from providing or accessing services.

Recommendations

The NSS recommended any Government contracts with religious groups to provide public services should contain "clear equality, non-discrimination and non-proselytising clauses".

It said the Government should "commit to equality" in its funding programmes for CSOs, with "no funding exclusive to religious groups".

It also called for a review of the charitable purpose 'the advancement of religion', and an end to Equality Act exemptions for religious groups when they are working under public contract.

NSS: 'Government should be cognizant of potential risks of working with faith organisations'

National Secular Society spokesperson Alejandro Sanchez said: "We recognise the potential societal benefits of successful collaboration between civil society organisations and public bodies.

"However, we encourage the Government to be cognizant of the potential risks of working with some faith organisations without safeguards in place.

"The final version of the covenant should make clear public services will not be outsourced to faith groups that proselytise service users or promote extremism and discrimination."