Faith in the UK: Insights from the Colin Bloom review

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Faith in the UK: Insights from the Colin Bloom review

An independent review urges the UK government to strengthen engagement with faith communities, highlighting both their contributions and risks to society.

The UK government has recently been presented with an independent review scrutinising its engagement with faith communities. The review, titled Does Government ‘do God?’, was conducted by Colin Bloom, who served as the government’s Independent Faith Engagement Advisor, and a team of civil servants.^[1] Released on 26th April 2023,^[2] the review was commissioned by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2019.^[3] It highlighted the importance of faith as a force for good in British society. Bloom described faith as an “overriding force for good.”^[4] Not only does it shape individuals’ identities, he observed, but it also establishes resilient bonds within communities. The review also emphasised that faith contributes positively to society by addressing societal challenges such as loneliness, poverty, and mental health.^[5]

Understand and engage with faith

However, the review also underscored the need for the government to better understand and engage with various faith communities. It noted that there is inadequate “faith literacy” among public servants, which impedes effective policy-making. Bloom recommended the introduction of a new programme of faith literacy training for all public sector staff, including those in the Civil Service, Armed Forces, schools, and prisons. This would, in turn, help public servants better understand the communities they serve. Moreover, Bloom advocated for an Independent Faith Champion and Office to further enhance understanding, communication, and education within public services such as the NHS, police, schools, and councils.^[6]

The darker side of faith

The review does not shy away from addressing the darker side of faith. Among its most salient and contentious points are how extremist elements within faith groups can cause harm. For example, the review categorised believers into ‘true believers’, ‘non-believers’, and ‘make-believers’, with the latter exploiting religion for personal gain.^[7] The review calls for vigilance in recognising and handling these exploitative individuals.

Bloom also acknowledged the complexity within faith communities. While lauding the British Muslim and British Sikh communities, he also cautioned against the persistent challenge posed by Islamist extremism and also raised concerns about the emerging trends in Sikh extremism, calling for proactive government measures.^[8] Here, Bloom emphasised differentiating between extremist ideologies and the religions they purport to represent, insisting that these nuances are essential for fostering an environment where faith can thrive without being stigmatised due to the actions of a few.

The review also called for safeguarding freedom and rights within marital choices, stressing the role of faith leaders in ensuring consent in marriages. It particularly focused on addressing forced and coercive marriages, which are thought to be in the thousands annually in the UK, through centralised strategies. The review also advocated for regulation in out-of-school settings, such as faith-based institutions, to ensure the safety and well-being of children.^[9]

A missed opportunity?

EARS’ previous analysis of the review showcased a variety of responses to the findings, reflecting a broad spectrum of sentiments across diverse faith communities. Muslim communities expressed feelings of stigmatisation, Jewish representatives criticised what they perceived as misunderstandings of their traditions, and secularists contended that the review exhibited a pro-faith bias, which they fear might undermine the separation between religion and state.^[10]

Adding to these criticisms, Jasveer Singh of The Sikh Press Association questioned the review’s focus on Sikh extremism. Singh argued this focus was disproportionate compared to its treatment of Hindu Nationalism, stating, “It would seem evident that Hindu Nationalism and its threat to UK residents deserves far more scrutiny, especially when compared to the disproportionate attention given to Sikhs in The Bloom Review.”^[11] Singh also suggested that such reports might be influenced by the UK government’s desire to foster closer trade relationships with India.^[12]

Despite these critiques, the official stance from the UK government remains largely positive. Baroness Scott of Bybrook, the Faith Minister, has welcomed the review, affirming the government’s dedication to working with faith groups.^[13] Even among faith organisations, the review has elicited a positive response. While emphasising the need for additional work, particularly in the realm of education, The Evangelical Alliance, an influential evangelical movement in the UK, has acknowledged the review’s efforts towards engaging with faith communities.^[14]

A blueprint

On the whole, Bloom expressed optimism about faith’s role and acknowledged the evolving landscape of faith and belief in an increasingly diverse nation. He urged the government to stay current and adaptive to these changes and not to shy away from confronting issues within faith communities, including forced marriages, faith-based extremism, exploitation, and child safeguarding.

Notwithstanding its shortcomings, the review comes at a critical juncture, with recent events highlighting the need for more robust engagement with faith communities. For the British government, the Colin Bloom review is likely to serve as a blueprint for developing strategies to engage constructively with faith communities, recognising their positive contributions while also encouraging vigilance. It, therefore, may pave the way for a more harmonious relationship between faith and the state in the UK.

Muhammad Faisal Khalil

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