STATEMENT
The Muslim Council of Britain welcomes the King’s Speech at a time when the country is seeking hope and prosperity.
With many communities worried about the cost of living crisis and wages, we support policy changes to end zero-hour contracts and improve employment rights. The Race Equality Bill, which will extend the right to make equal pay claims under the Equality Act to ethnic minority workers and disabled people, and introduce new pay reporting requirements for larger firms, is much needed.
We note the importance of a long-term peaceful solution in the Middle East, working towards a two-state solution, but hope the government will go further to ensure the recognition of a Palestinian state, which would ensure the safety of all in the region. It is disappointing there was no mention of an immediate ceasefire nor a ban on arms sales to Israel.
We note the significance of Martyn’s Law and the obligations it places on faith communities, requiring them to incorporate these into their plans and ensuring they are equipped for this.
Many Muslim private schools are apprehensive about the changes in VAT affecting their institutions, with the poorest being the most impacted. We hope the government does more to support these schools.
We welcome the reintroduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to gradually ban smoking and help protect young people from harmful habits.
We also welcome the Mental Health Bill and changes to care regulations for people with learning difficulties, especially at a time of increased challenges for communities.
Many of the issues raised have been concerns British Muslims have brought to the MCB, reflected in our policy pledges.
Commenting on the Speech, MCB Secretary-General, Zara Mohammed said: “There are many aspects of the King’s Speech that are welcome and will make a positive difference for communities across the UK. We are glad to see many policies which the MCB has highlighted from British Muslims included in these proposals.
It is, however, regrettable that there has not been a greater focus on tackling growing hate crime, particularly rising Islamophobia. Additionally, the continued enforcement of the two-child benefit cap remains a serious problem in tackling child poverty.
We are hopeful that with the new start to Parliament, there will be much positive change to come. We will do our part to serve and support this much-needed change.”
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