The Archbishop of Canterbury received the following written answer on 10th February 2021:
The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury asked Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether their target for the number of affordable homes that they want to see built is sufficient to meet the demand for such homes.
Continue reading “Archbishop of Canterbury asks about construction of affordable housing”
On 9th February 2021, the House of Lords debated the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill in committee. The Bishop of Manchester spoke in support of amendments on standards of proof and suspicion of guilt, raising issues of bias and risks of alienation:
The Lord Bishop of Manchester [V]: My Lords, I draw the Committee’s attention to my interest in criminal justice matters, specifically as chair of the Greater Manchester Police independent ethics committee, as set out in the register.
I am grateful to the noble and learned Lord, Lord Falconer, for tabling Amendment 28. I also note with interest Amendment 27 in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Anderson. His arguments are powerful, not least in distinguishing clearly between belief and a mere suspicion, a distinction which for me as a bishop lies at the heart of my day job.
As I indicated to your Lordships’ House in my maiden speech at Second Reading, this is a Bill that I welcome and support. My city of Manchester has all too recently suffered a terrorist attack that killed 22 innocent people and maimed and traumatised hundreds more. We remain deeply grateful for the support we received from members of this House, government Ministers and many others at that time and since.
Continue reading “Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill: Bishop of Manchester supports amendments on evidentiary standards”On 9th February 2021, the House of Lord debated the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill. Votes were held on amendments to the bill, in which a Bishop took part:
The Bishop of Coventry asked a question on ensuring representation of voices from UK Overseas Territories at COP 26 on 9th February 2021, following a discussion on the preparedness of these territories for humanitarian and disaster relief operations:
The Lord Bishop of Coventry: My Lords, climate change is the context in which this conversation is happening. Given the marine diversity and repository of so much of the world’s biodiversity in the overseas territories, how will the Government ensure that the voices of the overseas territories will be amplified in the forthcoming COP 26 summit?
Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks about voices of UK Overseas Territories at COP 26”The Archbishop of Canterbury received the following written answer on 9th February 2021:
The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury asked Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Greenhalgh on 26 January (HL Deb, col 1500), what assessment they have made of the level of household income that would be needed to afford a home defined as “affordable”.
Continue reading “Archbishop of Canterbury asks about definition of affordable housing”
The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 9th February 2021:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked Her Majesty’s Government how many COVID-19 vaccination doses they have ordered in total; whether they intend to order more doses than the number required to vaccinate the population of the UK; and if so, what plans they have to ensure that any surplus doses are used effectively.
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On 8th February 2021, during a debate on the Domestic Abuse Bill, the Bishop of London spoke in support of an amendment tabled by Lord Kennedy of Southwark which would aim to prevent GPs who had a contract with the NHS from charging victims of domestic abuse for letters confirming their injuries which they would need in order to seek legal aid:
The Lord Bishop of London [V]: My Lords, I add my voice to this amendment simply because it should go without saying that some things need to be penned into law for there to be consistent access to justice. Amendment 161 has been tabled because it prevents GPs charging survivors of domestic abuse for letters which confirm injuries they have suffered—evidence which survivors need for their legal aid applications. The case for this amendment has been extremely well made by the noble Lord, Lord Kennedy, and the noble Baroness, Lady Bull. I agree with the statements they have made, so there is no need to add much to what has been said.
Continue reading “Domestic Abuse Bill: Bishop of London supports amendment on provision of medical letters for abuse victims”
The Bishop of Gloucester tabled an amendment to the Domestic Abuse Bill aimed at safeguarding migrant victims of domestic abuse on 8th February 2021:
The Lord Bishop of Gloucester [V]: My Lords, I am again glad to speak in this Committee and draw attention to my interests in the register. It is a great honour to follow the noble Lord, Lord Rosser, and I thank him for his excellent speech.
Amendment 151, in my name, seeks to ensure that migrant victims of abuse have access to refuge spaces and essential support services, as with other victims of abuse. I thank all noble Lords, including the noble Lords, Lord Rosser and Lord Alton of Liverpool, and the noble Baroness, Lady Hamwee, who have added their names in support of this amendment.
The existing domestic violence rule, or DV rule, is a proven route for a limited group of survivors, including those on certain spousal or partner visas, ensuring that they are able to regularise their immigration status independent of their perpetrator, and can access public funds for a limited time while the application is considered. Since 2002, this has given migrant women a lifeline—an escape route out of abuse, removing the power from abusers who threaten detention, deportation, destitution and separation from children.
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On 8th February 2021, the Bishop of Winchester asked a question on support for students seeking graduate jobs on 8th February 2021, following a government statement on the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on university students:
The Lord Bishop of Winchester [V]: My Lords, while the short-term support offered by the Government to students facing financial difficulties is most welcome, the pandemic has also generated uncertainty about graduate employment in the short, medium and long term. What plans do Her Majesty’s Government have for supporting students and graduates who are or will be seeking skilled graduate employment?
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The Bishop of St Albans tabled a question on potential risks associated with genetically modified food production in the UK on 8th February 2021:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans [V]: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the potential (1) health, and (2) environmental, risks associated with approving genetically modified food production in the United Kingdom.
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