The London-based think tank the Ayaan Institute has highlighted that the Labour Party manifesto commits to continuing with the approval of the Protect Duty. The Duty was a response to the Manchester Arena bombing which was sailing through Parliament and halted due to the election.
The Bill seeks to ensure public premises and events are better prepared for and protected against terrorist attacks; requiring them to fulfill necessary steps according to their capacity size to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack and reduce harm. The law will apply to the premises of religious worship. Different levels of enhanced measures will be necessary for premises with a capacity of over 100 and 800 people. Britain’s 2752 Mosques and prayer halls will therefore come under another regulatory regime in addition to charity law and company law. The Ayaan Institute conservatively estimates the cost to mosques of the security and regulatory requirements will amount to around £37.5M.
Jahangir Mohammed a specialist in charities and mosques said “Whilst the duty was the right step for larger public premises, imposing that duty on places of worship would have serious cost implications on a sector that is managed mainly by volunteers, many with limited income. Most Mosques have several regulators and are already required by the Charity Commission to safeguard from terrorism and extremism; therefore, this is not necessary. A new regulator with the potential for criminal sanctions against trustees would deter volunteers from becoming trustees”. He said “ Now was the right time for communities to raise this with parties and potential MPs”
Ayaan is also concerned that the tax on private schools could inadvertently impact faith-based private schools and called for a tiered approach based on fees or exclude faith-based private schools.
Similarly, capping child benefits to two children would adversely impact larger families who tend to be over-represented in BME and working-class communities and poorer households. It would increase poverty.
Ayaan believes the proposals in the Workers Party and Reform Manifestos to take people earning below £21,200 and £20,000 out of taxation are the single most progressive poverty alleviation proposals among the parties. Jahangir Mohammed said, “Taxing people earning £12,750 to £20,000 making them dependent on benefits, whilst the survival income of a single person and couple is estimated to be £24,000-£34,000 is grossly unfair, if not immoral, and pushes people into poverty”. These proposals would give low earners an additional £1600 in their pockets. Ayaan urges the Muslim community to read manifesto proposals and to challenge and question their parties and candidates.
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