Bishop of Gloucester speaks in debate on prison conditions

The Bishop of Gloucester took part in a debate on the Better Prisons: Less Crime Justice and Home Affairs Committee Report on 12th February 2026, advocating for reform of the conditions and culture inside prisons:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords, as Anglican Bishop for prisons, I wholeheartedly welcome this debate and this excellent report. It is also a privilege to follow two excellent maiden speeches.

I submitted evidence to the committee, and I will continue to bang the drum for reform. Better prisons will play a vital role, but they are not the end point or the complete answer to reducing reoffending. I agree with the reframing of this from rehabilitation, as rehabilitation implies that people were once at an acceptable place in life to which they can be rehabilitated, whereas for the majority of people in prison, this was never true in the first place.

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Bishop of Hereford asks about improving animal welfare in livestock slaughter

The Bishop of Hereford asked a question on promoting dialogue with religious communities to encourage ethical slaughter methods, during a discussion on animal welfare on 12th February 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Hereford: My Lords, we would all like to see the minimising of pain and distress to animals prior to slaughter, yet currently a substantial number of animals are slaughtered without prior stunning due to a derogation within domestic legislation, even though, as I understand it from speaking to a large halal slaughter house in my diocese, such stunning is acceptable within Islam. Will His Majesty’s Government work actively with our Jewish and Muslim friends to understand their religious needs and support the development of acceptable stunning methods and improve their uptake within those communities?

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Bishop of Norwich asks about efforts to protect and restore UK ecosystems

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answer on 12th February 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich asked His Majesty’s Government, following the report National security assessment on global ecosystems, published on 20 January, what plans they have to prioritise the protection and restoration of ecosystems, particularly those that support the UK food system.

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Bishop of Southwark asks about killing of Palestinian journalists

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 12th February 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked  His Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel about the killing of three Palestinian journalists by a targeted strike on a vehicle on 21 January.

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Bishop of Chelmsford asks about recent protests in Iran

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 12th February 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government:

  • whether they plan to take further action against the government of Iran, including sanctions and other measures, in response to human rights abuses against protestors by the security forces.
  •  what steps they are taking to encourage the government of Iran to restore internet access and international communications to allow people to search for missing family members after recent protests.
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Bishop of Gloucester asks about peacebuilding conference on Israel-Palestine conflict

The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answer on 12th February 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government

  • what steps they are taking to include religious leaders and faith based civil society groups from Israel and Palestine that are committed to peace building and reconciliation in the conference at Lancaster House on 12 March regarding the establishment of an international peace fund for Israel and Palestine.
  • what steps they are taking to consult with Palestinian civil society and Israeli human rights groups ahead of the peace building conference at Lancaster House on 12 March.
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Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Bishop of Newcastle speaks to amendment on protection for those with learning disabilities

The Bishop of Newcastle spoke in support of an amendment aimed at providing additional protection for those with learning disabilities during a committee debate on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on 6th February 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle: My Lords, I will speak to Amendment 108, to which the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Lincoln has added his name. He regrets that he cannot be in his place today, as he is interested in this amendment as lead bishop for the L’Arche community in the UK. With the Church of England, L’Arche strives to provide a positive and inclusive residential community in which adults with and without learning disabilities can live and grow together.

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Archbishop of York asks about humanitarian situation in Iran

On 5th February 2026, the Archbishop of York asked a question on support for Iranian families in the UK to contact their loved ones following a government statement on the recent protests and subsequent humanitarian situation in Iran:

The Lord Archbishop of York: My Lords, I have a very simple humanitarian question relating to what the Minister has just said. We do not know how many people have died, how many are injured or how many are missing, but we do know that the internet in Iran has been brought down. Simply, the restoration of the internet would allow family members to be in touch, to seek those who are missing and to know more of what is happening. What representations are the Government making on that issue, which would bring some solace to so many deeply hurting families in this appalling situation?

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Bishop of Leicester asks about support for youth employment

The Bishop of Leicester asked a question on supporting young people not in work, education, or training on 5th February, during a discussion on youth unemployment:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester: I welcome the Government’s new initiatives in this area, particularly the youth guarantee. Can the Minister tell us how the Government are going to tackle the estimated 500,000 young people who are not in education, employment or training, and who are not claiming benefits either? Are we not at serious risk of a whole generation of young people not being able to use their gifts for the good of wider society?

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Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich introduced

On 5th February 2026, the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, Rt Revd Dr Joanne Grenfell, was introduced to the House of Lords and took her seat on the Bishops’ Benches:

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