Children (withdrawal from religious education and amendment of UNCRC compatibility duty) (Scotland) Bill

Date: 22nd July 2025
Category: General measures of implementation, General principles, Civil Rights and Freedoms

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Closing date: 1^st September 2025

The Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee is seeking views on the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Incompatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill, introduced by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills on 30^th April 2025. The Bill is currently at Stage 1 of the legislative process, during which the Parliament considers whether it should proceed to become law.

The proposed legislation introduces changes to the process by which pupils can be withdrawn from religious instruction or religious observance in schools. In addition, it amends the compatibility duty placed on public authorities under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024, particularly where there are conflicting statutory obligations.

As part of its scrutiny of the Bill, the Committee is inviting written submissions from a broad range of stakeholders, including members of the public, teachers, academics with an interest in children’s rights, human and children’s rights organisations, local authorities, and any other individuals or groups with a relevant interest in the proposed legislation.

Together will be submitting a response to this consultation. The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in its most recent concluding observations to the recommended that the UK ensure that children can independently exercise their right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. This includes ensuring that children are able to withdraw from religious observance in schools in a manner that respects their evolving capacities and autonomy.

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