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Largest survey of UK Sikhs launched by University

05/12/2016

Academics from the University of Wolverhampton have joined forces with the Sikh Network to develop the largest and most comprehensive survey of UK Sikhs.

Findings from the UK Sikh Survey 2016 were presented to local Wolverhampton MPs, Pat McFadden and Rob Marris, recently by representatives from the University’s Department of Religion, Philosophy and Cultural Heritage.

The data and information gathered by academics in the survey will be used to better inform policy and decision making by government departments, other public bodies and political parties to address the needs and issues of the British Sikh community.

Dr Opinderjit Takhar, Head of Religious Studies at the University who led on the research, said: “The UK Sikh Survey 2016 went live earlier this year and is the largest and most comprehensive survey of the British Sikh community at present, with over 4,500 responses, and covering all 12 regions of the UK.

“The UK Sikh Survey has been developed and managed by the Sikh Network and was devised in light of much needed statistical evidence on the issues that matter to the British Sikh community at present. 

There is a lot of academic interest in the findings of the UK Sikh Survey too since it gives us real figures in relation to, for example, questions of identity.  Interestingly, the findings of the survey reveal that 19 out of 20 Sikhs reject being described as ‘Indian’ or ‘Asian’ and 93.5% of Sikhs have said they would welcome the inclusion of a separate ethnic tick box for Sikhs in the Census 2021.”

Rob Marris, MP for Wolverhampton South West, said: ““The survey is a solid piece of work, for which I am very grateful.  It should be used by policy-makers to inform their decision-making – and by the community itself to see just how talented and integrated and contributing they are.”

ENDS

For more information please contact the Media Relations Office on 01902 32 2736 or 01902 518647.

Date Issued:  4th December 2016

Notes to editors

A link to the UK Sikh Survey findings report is below:

 http://www.thesikhnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/UK-Sikh-Survey-2016-Findings-FINAL.pd

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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