Public sector equality duty
Religion and belief
The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination against a person on the basis of their religion or belief. “Religion” generally refers to the wider range of recognised faiths that are practiced across the world today. “Belief” refers to philosophical beliefs such as Humanism and also covers atheism. The Equality Act does not list recognised beliefs, but generally a belief should affect individuals’ life choices or the way they lead their lives. People with no faith are also protected by the Act.
Southwark Council is committed to promoting equality amongst people of all religions and beliefs and valuing the contribution made by all citizens.
Religion and belief in Southwark, London and England
The following data from the 2011 Census show the breakdown of the religious identity of Southwark residents compared to London and England.
|
2011 Census |
Southwark |
London |
England |
|---|---|---|---|
|
All usual residents |
288,283 |
8,173,941 |
53,012,456 |
|
Christian |
151,462 |
3,957,984 |
31,479,876 |
|
52.5% |
48.4% |
59.4% |
|
|
Buddhist |
3,884 |
82,026 |
238,626 |
|
1.3% |
1% |
0.5% |
|
|
Hindu |
3,668 |
411,291 |
806,199 |
|
1.3% |
5% |
1.5% |
|
|
Jewish |
1,006 |
148,602 |
261,282 |
|
0.3% |
1.8% |
0.5% |
|
|
Muslim |
24,551 |
1,012,823 |
2,660,116 |
|
8.5% |
12.4% |
5% |
|
|
Sikh |
653 |
126,134 |
420,196 |
|
0.2% |
1.5% |
0.8% |
|
|
Other religion |
1,350 |
47,970 |
227,825 |
|
0.5% |
0.6% |
0.4% |
|
|
No religion |
77,098 |
1,694,372 |
13,114,232 |
|
26.7% |
20.7% |
24.7% |
|
|
Religion not stated |
24,611 |
692,739 |
3,804,104 |
|
8.5% |
8.5% |
7.2% |
Key findings include:
- Southwark has a smaller percentage of Christian residents than England but more than London
- there are a higher percentage of residents that state that they have no religion in Southwark than London or England
- there's been a significant increase in the percentage of Southwark residents that define themselves as having no religion, Muslim or religion not stated since the previous Census in 2001
- residents who state that they have no religion are the fastest growing group in Southwark and England
Examples of how we're working to promote equality
Using data available from a range of sources has enabled us to identify and address some of the issues faced by specific religious and faith groups. Some examples are given below:
- the council has identified a major issue with planning permission for faith premises in the borough and has produced a guide to ensure the buildings they own or lease meet the required planning standards, helping them to avoid distress and to save money as well as time spent on bureaucracy sorting out problems
- the council supports a multi-faith forum, which aims to foster good relations between different religious and ethnic groups and to work together for the good of the whole community
Further information and support
- Southwark Multi Faith Forum (SMFF) can be found on their website
- the Interfaith Network for the UK was founded to promote good relations between people of different faiths in this country
- The National Secular Society works to challenge what it sees as religious privilege in Britain
- The British Humanist Association works on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical lives on the basis of reason and humanity
Page last updated: 02 August 2022
