MSPs say ‘significant amendments’ needed to Bill on religious education

Scottish ministers have been told “significant amendments” will be needed to address “serious concerns” about new legislation which aims to give schoolchildren a greater say over whether they take part in religious services and education.

The Scottish Government is proposing to change the law so that if a parent withdraws their child from either religious observance at school or religious and moral education, the school must tell the youngster about this and give them the right to object.

If a pupil objects to being withdrawn, the school would have to follow the pupil’s wishes.

MSPs on Holyrood’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, who have been scrutinising the proposed legislation, said “very serious concerns” have been raised.

A majority of the committee felt that while the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill seeks to improve rights for young people, it is “debatable as to the benefits that would accrue from passing this legislation”.

While most MSPs on the committee backed the general principals of the Bill, they did so “recognising that substantial amendments will be required”.

The two Conservative MSPs, Pam Gosal and Tess White, said they could not support the general principles of the legislation – saying they have “significant concern” about the possible impact on families and the potential conflict between the rights of parents and the views of children.

In its report, the committee overall said while the Bill’s intention “is to increase rights for children”, the Scottish Government should now “give further consideration to unintended consequences such as the possibility of increased conflict between parents and children”.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant said she could not make any recommendation as to whether MSPs should support the general principles of the Bill, and she instead urged colleagues at Holyrood to give the matter “careful consideration” when the Bill comes before them.

Committee convener Karen Adam said: “The committee heard strong views on this Bill during evidence, with very serious concerns being raised.

“However, given the clear support for the basic premise of the Bill of furthering children’s rights from several witnesses, a majority of our committee recommend that Parliament support the general principles of the Bill.

“We are clear though that substantial amendments will need to be made to respond to the significant concerns we heard.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The proposed Bill will strengthen the rights of children and young people in Scotland by ensuring their voices are heard in the withdrawal process.

“The Scottish Government is aware of the wide range of views on this topic and ministers will continue to engage with Parliament and interested parties on these as the Bill progresses.”