Report calls for fewer Church of England bishops in House of Lords

Report says number of bishops to be cut to make way for leaders of other faiths. Credit: PA

The number of Church of England bishops in the House of Lords should be cut to space for leaders of other faiths, according to a new report.

The Commission on Religion and Belief in Public Life (Corab) recommended that major national and civil events, including coronation ceremonies, should have a more "pluralist character" to reflect a shift in religious beliefs in British society.

Under the current system, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York along with the Bishops of Durham, London and Winchester automatically take seats in the House of Lords.

A further 21 seats for bishops are given based on length of service.

The report said Britons of all faiths and none needed a "new settlement" in public policy because the national picture had "transformed beyond recognition."

It noted the rise in the number of Britons who identify as non-religious, amounting to almost half of the population.

But Baroness Butler-Sloss, who chaired the commission, said issues such as the Paris terrorist attacks and the banning of a Church of England advert in cinemas showed religious beliefs are still central to society.

The report said there had been a "general decline" in Christian affiliation - with two in five people now identifying as such. Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism have also overtaken Judaism as the largest non-Christian faiths in Britain.

It also recommended a reduction in the percentage of faith school admissions based on a pupil's religion and a review of anti-terror legislation to promote freedom of speech instead of limiting it.