Kings Speech Debate: Archbishop of Canterbury speaks on importance of social integration and community relations

The Archbishop of Canterbury gave a speech during the King’s Speech debate on 18th May 2026, emphasising the importance of integration and understanding in society:

The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, it is a pleasure to respond to His Majesty’s gracious Speech today. I too look forward to the maiden speeches of the noble Lord, Lord Case, and my right reverend friend the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.

We face serious challenges at home and abroad, and I continue to pray for those who carry responsibilities of office as we seek to meet these challenges together. At my installation at Canterbury Cathedral, I spoke about the presence and importance of hope. As a Christian, I believe that we have hope because we have a God who walks with us, even when circumstances feel overwhelming.

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Archbishop of Canterbury asks about support for NHS staff dealing with cases of miscarriage and infant loss

The Archbishop of Canterbury asked a question on support for NHS staff working in maternity care during a discussion on baby loss and birth trauma on 18th May 2026:

The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, baby loss can be one of the most difficult experiences for any person, but especially for NHS staff who work in or around maternity and neonatal care settings. Can the Minister outline for us what specific support is in place in the NHS for staff who experience baby loss that recognises this additional need?

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Kings Speech Debate: Bishop of Newcastle advocates for greater regional opportunities

The Bishop of Newcastle took part the debate on the King’s Speech on 14th May 2026, advocating for further regional opportunities for the northeast of England:

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle: My Lords, I am pleased to speak in this debate on the gracious Speech and wish all noble Lords well in this new Session. I declare an interest as president of the Rural Coalition.

It is an honour to follow the noble Lord, Lord Burns, particularly with his north-east roots. I speak from the perspective of the region in which my diocese is located, the north-east. These are communities with deep resilience and enormous potential but which continue to live with the consequences of economic inequality, industrial transition and social fragmentation.

There is much that gives cause for confidence. We see innovation emerging from our universities and wider research communities, growing expertise in clean energy, digital technology and advanced manufacturing, and renewed confidence in sectors helping to shape the industries of the future. The North East Space Skills and Technology Centre, based at Northumbria University, is a notable example of combining public funding, university match funding and private sector aerospace investment—a model that is about long-term economic development.

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Bishop of Norwich joins tributes to departing Senior Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords

On 13th May 2026, the Bishop of Norwich joined in tributes to the departing Senior Deputy Speaker, Lord Gardiner of Kimble, and in welcoming the new Senior Deputy Speaker, Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, during the first day of the new parliamentary session:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Earl, Lord Kinnoull, to stand on behalf of these Benches in support of the Motion from the noble Baroness the Lord Privy Seal and to congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Ponsonby, on his appointment.

It is also a pleasure to thank, on behalf of these Benches, the former Senior Deputy Speaker, the noble Lord, Lord Gardiner. Newbies have been enormously grateful for the warmth of his welcome to those of us on these Benches and for his gentle guidance when learning the procedures of your Lordships’ House, such as the nod, the smile, and the twinkle in the eyes that have meant to the unsure, “Yes, you’re next”. The noble Lord has been a steady and kindly presence, for which we are most grateful.

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Bishop of Norwich asks about climate finance

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answer on 28th April 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich asked His Majesty’s Government whether they delivered their commitment to provide £11.6 billion of international climate finance between 2021–22 and 2025–26, including £3 billion to protect and restore ecosystems abroad.

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Votes: Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

On 27th April 2026, the House of Lords debated amendments to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Two Bishops took part in votes on the bill:

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Bishop of Sheffield asks about asylum applications

The Bishop of Sheffield received the following written answers on 27th April 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Sheffield asked His Majesty’s Government how many asylum application caseworkers are currently employed by the Home Office; and what plans they have to hire more staff to address the appeals backlog.

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Bishop of Norwich asks about environmental impact of current conflict in the Gulf

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answer on 27th April 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich asked His Majesty’s Government whether they have made an assessment of the impact on the natural environment of the Strait of Hormuz as a result of the recent conflict.

Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab, FCDO): No such assessment has been made.

Hansard

Bishop of Winchester asks about involvement of Rwandan army in conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo

The Bishop of Winchester received the following written answer on 27th April 2026:

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

  • what consideration they have given to imposing sanctions on the Rwandan army and key military officials for supporting, training and fighting alongside the March 23 Movement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  • what assessment they have made of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); and what representations they have made to the governments of the DRC and Rwanda regarding commitments to implementing the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, including the Regional Economic Integration Framework.
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Church Commissioners Written Questions: Church Repairs and Maintenance

ON 27th April 2026, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following written answer to a question from an MP:

Churches: Repairs and Maintenance

David Simmonds MP (Con, Ruislip, Northwood, and Pinner): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, if she can confirm current charging arrangements for local authorities to request a Diocese faculty to consider changes to the grounds maintenance provision within closed churchyards.

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