MP Calls for Improved Ethnic Data Collection for Jewish and Sikh Groups

A Member of Parliament has advocated for legislation that would mandate public bodies to enhance their efforts in documenting Sikhs and Jews as distinct ethnic groups. Preet Kaur Gill, the representative for Edgbaston in Birmingham, stated that while these communities are occasionally categorized by religion, such data is “never used” to guide policymakers. Addressing the House of Commons, she asserted: “It makes both Jews and Sikhs invisible to policymakers, therefore ignoring the inequality and discrimination both groups face”. Gill further indicated that classifying them as ethnic groups could result in increased acknowledgment. These remarks were made by Gill as she sought a second reading for her proposed Public Body Ethnicity Data (Inclusion of Jewish and Sikh Categories) Bill, scheduled for 7 March. The Labour Member of Parliament commented: “The only data collected on Sikhs and Jews in most recent years is religious data. “However, the quality of data collected by public bodies on religion compared to ethnicity is poor, patchy and incomplete.”” She characterized her bill as an endeavor “to end the discrimination both communities face”. Nevertheless, the proposed legislation faces challenges in becoming law because of limited parliamentary time allocated for the consideration of private members’ bills.