The government has introduced new legislation, the Church Appointments (Repeal of Discriminatory Provision) Bill, which aims to remove historic religious restrictions on Prime Ministers.
The Bill will enable Roman Catholic and Jewish Prime Ministers to provide advice to the King on Church of England appointments, a duty currently restricted for those of these faiths. The government stated that these restrictions, which were left in place after amendments in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, prevent a Prime Minister from exercising the full extent of their constitutional responsibilities.
Until recently, these restrictions had no practical effect as there had not been a Roman Catholic or Jewish Prime Minister. The restrictions do not apply to individuals of other faiths or no faith. In the interim, the Prime Minister has transferred the responsibility for Church appointments to the Lord Chancellor.