The UK government has announced intentions to end a long-standing legislative ban that restricts Catholic and Jewish individuals from being involved in the appointment process for Church of England bishops. Under current laws, which date back to historical statutes governing the relationship between the state and the established church, certain public officials are barred from exercising functions related to the selection of clergy if they do not belong to the Church of England.

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has publicly supported the move. As a Catholic, Burnham has argued that it is "unacceptable" for the law to impose a "legislative bar" that prevents individuals from performing the full scope of their official duties based on their personal faith. The proposed reform is intended to modernize these procedures and ensure that public office holders are not excluded from statutory responsibilities due to their religious background.

While the government has signaled its intent to proceed with the change, the process will require formal legislative action to amend the existing statutes. The move reflects a broader ongoing discussion regarding the role of the established church in a multi-faith society and the necessity of updating laws that were drafted in a different historical context. Proponents of the change emphasize the importance of equality in public life, while the government's specific timeline for the legislative repeal remains to be fully detailed.