Month: March 2015

Church of England Week in Westminster, 2nd – 6th March 2015

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

Westminster-abbeyThis week, bishops in the House of Lords took part in debates on the Modern Slavery Bill, Economic empowerment of women, Two State Solution, refuges for victims of domestic abuse and the new single use carrier bag charges

The bishops also asked questions on protecting academy schools funding, preventing destabilisation of South Sudan. They also received written answers to questions on the Somerset Rivers Authority and homelessness

Bishops took part in divisions on Modern Slavery Bill.

In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner, the Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry submitted a written answer on behalf of the Church Commissioners on the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund.

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Church Commissioner Question – Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund (Written Answer)

On the Friday 6th March the Second Church Estates Commissioner, the Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry, answered a written question from the conservative MP James Gray on the subject of the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund.

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Bishop of Derby challenges Government over provision of refuges for victims of domestic abuse

Bishop of DerbyThe Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Alastair Redfern spoke in a debate about protecting victims of domestic and mental abuse. The Bishop highlighted the need to create safe spaces for victims and mentioned work undertaken by Refuge in the Diocese of Derby. The importance of partnerships between faith and voluntary groups to support victims of abuse was highly significant and need to be place alongside the statutory services to make the provision as stable and effective as possible.

Lord Ashton responded to the debate for the Government and addressed a number of the Bishops remarks. His comments can be found below.

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Bishop of Southwark speaks about Israel & Palestine and the Two State Solution

Southwark 2The Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun spoke in a short debate about the Israel Palesine two state solution. Bishop Christopher spoke of the importance to maintain freedom of religion across the region and some of the issues he had seen with the building of the ‘peace and security wall’ following a recent visit to the region.

Baroness Anelay  responded to the debate for the Government and addressed a number of the bishops points. Her comments can be found below.

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Bishop of Derby speaks about the Importance of Women’s Economic Empowerment

DerbyOn 5th March 2015 the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Alastair Redfern, spoke in a debate to mark International Women’s Day, entitled ‘this House takes note of women’s economic empowerment and the progress in achieving it that has been made in the United Kingdom and internationally.’

The Bishop spoke about the importance of increasing workplace diversity in the UK, as well as the work of Christian Aid in empowering women overseas, alongside the need to challenge the myth that women taking jobs will displace men.

Baroness Garden responded for the Government and addressed a number of the points raised by the Bishop. Her comments can also be found below.

 

The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I rise with some trepidation to be the first man to speak in this debate, particularly having been gently chided by the noble Baroness, Lady Bottomley, about wearing a dress. Still, perhaps that is suitable bridging attire at this moment in the debate. I am also very conscious that the church could be seen to be behind the curve on this issue, as has been mentioned, and I hope that noble Lords can see that we are trying very hard to catch up and make proper progress. I want to do three things in this short address. I want to take up the theme that the noble Baronesses have talked about, the international perspective; look at some issues in the UK; and say what we might learn in terms of policy priorities.

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Divisions – Modern Slavery Bill

On 4th March 2015, three bishops took part in a division on the Government’s Modern Slavery Bill, relating to giving the powers to the Secretary of State to appoint a body which could maintain a website enabling greater business supply chain transparency. 

House of Lords Division Lobby
House of Lords Division Lobby

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Bishop of Derby speaks during the third reading of the Modern Slavery Bill

DerbyThe Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Alastair Redfern spoke during two amendments during the third reading of the Modern Slavery Bill. The Bishop co-sponsored an amendment to give the Secretary of State the power to appoint a body to maintain a website which would enable businesses to be accountable to their investors, their consumers and their shareholders. This amendment did not pass. Bishop Alastair also supported the government amendment to improve the Gang Masters Licensing Authority. This amendment was agreed by the House. The Bill will now go to the House of Commons for consideration.

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Bishop of Chester welcomes the new single use carrier bags charges

14.03 Bishop of ChesterOn 4th March 2105, the Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Peter Forster spoke in a debate on the new Single Use Carrier Bags Charges Order. The Bishop spoke to support the Government in their plans to introduce a charge for single use carrier bags. Bishop Peter also asked why the Government did not propose to introduce a similar scheme to those which already existed in other parts of the UK. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Lord De Mauley responded for the Government during the debate and address the Bishop’s questions. The full reply can be found below.

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Archbishop of Canterbury questions Government about preventing further destabilisation of South Sudan

Archbishop of CanterburyOn the 4th March 2015 Baroness Cox asked Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of recent developments in Sudan, with particular reference to the continuing aerial bombardment of civilians in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, asked a supplementary question:

The Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, during two visits to South Sudan last year, both in Juba and in the fighting area, it was evident that there was widespread belief and evidence that the Government of Sudan were not only interfering in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur with these terrible acts, but seek further to destabilise the already terrible situation in South Sudan. What steps do this Government believe should be taken and what steps are they taking with the international community to stop this cross-border interference?

Baroness Northover: The cross-border area is again a very difficult area to be working in. Our sense of things in terms of South Sudan is that we have huge challenges there in trying to get the parties to some kind of agreement. The Government of Sudan themselves are playing a non-obstructive role generally speaking. However, given all the instability on the border that the most reverend Primate talks about, it is exceptionally difficult.

(via Parliament.UK)

The Bishop of Norwich calls for protection of academy funding

On 3rd March 2015, Baroness Jones of Whitchurch asked Her Majesty’s Government what advice they have issued to individual academy schools regarding the £2.5 billion held in their reserves. The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham James, asked a supplementary question:

14.06.12 Bishop of NorwichThe Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, some academies and other schools have secured private funding which they ring-fence to finance a chaplain, international links or some other good purpose. For the avoidance of doubt, will the Minister give an assurance that such funds are not to be treated as free reserves? Further, will he encourage academies to secure such funding?

Lord Nash (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools): I entirely agree with the right reverend Prelate and I pay tribute to his very good work in the school system in Norfolk. We should welcome such funds into the school system. We should welcome people who bring these funds and give their time freely. It is a development that we should seek to encourage.

(Via Parliament.uk)