Gloria De Piero MP, Labour’s Shadow Women and Equalities Minister, has written to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission asking them to investigate the lawfulness of the Hasidic Belz educational institutions reportedly recommending its schools disallow pupils from attending if they have been driven to school by their mothers.  

The full text of the letter is below:

Baroness Onora O Neill
Chair, Equalities and Human Rights Commission
Fleetbank House,
2-6 Salisbury Square,
London EC4Y 8JX

29th May 2015

Dear Baroness O’Neill,

I am writing following the reported advice issued by leaders of Hasidic Belz educational institutions recommending schools under their auspices disallow pupils from attending if they have been driven by their mothers – a policy which would effectively ban women driving their children to Belz schools.

Our law protects individuals in the enjoyment of their basic rights and freedoms, from discrimination because of their sex and I have serious concerns about the implications of the ban as reported.

The provision of educational services falls within those goods, facilities and services for which, under the Equality Act 2010, it is prohibited to discriminate against on the basis of sex.

For any school to deny a child education on the basis that they were driven by their mother amounts to unlawful indirect sex discrimination. There is no general exemption on the grounds of religious belief or for any religious community.

I am writing to ask what action you will be taking to prevent this discrimination and ask that the Equalities and Human Rights Commission issue urgent clarification of the law in relation to this and any related case.

Yours sincerely,

Gloria De Piero MP
Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities