Inter faith and faith group survey

In its report, Our Shared Future, the Commission on Integration and Cohesion made a number of recommendations about local authorities’ engagement with faith groups and inter faith bodies at the local level (see in particular, recommendations 12, 24 and 37).

To help meet these, the Local Government Association Analysis and Research team, in partnership with the Inter Faith Network, conducted a survey of local authorities to look at how they are working with faith groups and inter faith organisations in their area and at what sort of additional guidance they think might be helpful for this work. The survey also prompted respondents to highlight examples of good practice and to flag up particular challenges.

The results will allow us to understand better how local authorities are currently interacting with inter faith organisations and faith groups as part of strengthening the pattern of interactions between people of different backgrounds and increasing their involvement in local life. 

Questionnaires were sent to all councils in England and Wales, and 123 responded.  Respondents were representative of authority type and region, although slightly biased towards those authorities with a more diverse religious population (based on 2001 Census).

The survey, carried out between May and October this year and 123 responded.

Key findings:

• found just over half (55 per cent) of councils have been involved in some way in helping to set up a local inter faith organisation
• most (83 per cent) had become involved in other ways
• one in three councils (35 per cent) provided grants to support the work of inter faith organisations
• three quarters (76 per cent) consulted with local inter faith organisations, particularly on issues which could affect community cohesion and equality and priorities for Local Area Agreements
• one in three councils (33 per cent) provided specific training for staff and members on working with faith groups and local inter faith structures

Local authority engagement with faith groups and inter faith organisations - report

Date: December 2008

Contact: Louise.dove@lga.gov.uk

Tel: 020 7664 3270