New APPG highlights solutions from Faith-based organisations to society’s problems

Early in 2012, an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Faith and Society was launched.  The APPG's aims are to highlight the contribution to society by faith-based organisations, to identify best practice, and to promote understanding of the groups providing innovative solutions around the country.

The group also looks to learn from international best practice, and how other countries harness the innovation and solutions from faith-based organisations and embed them in emerging policies and bills.

At a time when media commentary focuses on secularisation and the alleged decline of faith in Britain, there is a growing movement of faith-based social activism around the country which could be better known and appreciated.  It is making itself felt in the UK in a growing range of projects – youth work, employment support, food banks, debt counselling – and overseas with fair trade, banks for the un-bankable and health initiatives on a large scale.

Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Chair of the group, says, ‘The new all-party group wants to hear from innovative faith-based organisations at work in local communities.  They often develop solutions to society’s key problems, but can go unrecognised in Whitehall.  We want to see that change.  And we will look at whether regulatory changes would enable them better to realise and sustain their potential.’

Daniel Singleton, National Executive Director of FaithAction, the secretariat for the group, says, ‘We are delighted to be supporting this new all-party group, building on contacts from our work on behalf of Government over the past five years. We hope that though this group, we can raise awareness of the fantastic work of faith based organisations that we at FaithAction witness on a daily basis’

For more information on the group, please contact FaithAction on 0845 094 6350 or at info@faithaction.net

All Party Parliamentary Group visits Birmingham to explore the practical role of faith groups in the city

On February 18th, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society visited Birmingham to explore how faith-based initiatives are promoting wellbeing and providing services in the city. The group spoke with faith leaders about their experiences of providing services in the city, the strong role that each of these institutions took in leading community activities and the barriers they faced.

To read the full details of the visit, please click here.

Members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group