Month: December 2023

Bishop of Worcester asks about need for specialised training to recognise mental health effects of financial strain for front line workers

The Bishop of Worcester asked a question on the need for training for front line workers in government and essential services to support and recognise the mental health effects of financial stress and strain on 7th December 2023, following a discussion on the Trussell Trust’s recommendation of an essentials guarantee for benefits claimants:

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: My Lords, thinking of the effects of poverty, the Mental Health Foundation has recommended that all front-line workers, including those who work in essential services and government, should be given training and support to know how to respond effectively to the mental health effects of financial stress and strain. Will the Minister agree that this training and support is both vital and necessary?

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Bishop of St Albans asks about regulation of e-scooters and e-bikes following accidents and deaths

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 6th December 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to strengthen the regulation of e-scooters and e-bikes following the 1,080 collisions and 7 deaths in the 12 months to June.

Lord Davies of Gower (Con, Department for Transport): The law is already clear, private e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads, cycle lanes or pavements and rental e-scooters may only be used within trial areas run by the Department. A range of motoring offences and penalties also already apply for using an e-scooter illegally and/or irresponsibly. Users can face criminal prosecution, a fixed penalty notice, points on their driving licence, and the e-scooter can be impounded.

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Votes: Code of Practice on Reasonable Steps to be taken by a Trade Union (Minimum Service Levels)

On 6th December 2023, the House of Lords a motion to approve the Code of Practice on Reasonable Steps to be taken by a Trade Union (Minimum Service Levels). A vote was held on an amendment to the motion, in which a Bishop took part:

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Bishop of Albans asks about efforts to collect evidence of violations of international law

On 6th December 2023, he Bishop of St Albans asked a question on the collection of evidence regarding alleged violations of international law, following a Commons Urgent Question on the humanitarian situation in Gaza:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC has called for the collection of evidence where there are alleged violations of international law. What are His Majesty’s Government doing to help with the collection of any such evidence?

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Bishop of Manchester asks about support for those struggling to obtain mortgages on properties

The Bishop of Manchester asked a question on support for those unable to obtain mortgages for apartments due to issues of building safety, and tackling this barrier to home ownership, on 6th December 2023, during a discussion on falling rates of owner-occupation among people aged 25-34:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, in cities such as mine of Manchester and Salford, in terms of home ownership, many people in this age group aspire to an apartment yet, however many years we are on from the Grenfell fire disaster, too many properties still remain unmortgageable. I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Greenhalgh, for the support he has given to campaigners over the years, yet still people cannot get a property because they cannot get a mortgage on it. When will the Government put an end to this scandal?

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Bishop of Durham asks about medical examinations of individuals detained under immigration rules

The Bishop of Durham received the following written answer on 6th December 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Durham asked His Majesty’s Government how many reports under (1) rule 32 of the Short-term Holding Facility Rules 2018, and (2) rule 35 of the Detention Centre Rules 2001, were issued in (a) 2021, (b) 2022, and (c) 2023; and how many led to the release of an individual detained after a detention review.

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Bishop of Norwich asks about risks to the social care sector and clergy visas under new migration proposals

The Bishop of Norwich asked a question in response to a government statement on levels of migration to the UK on 5th December 2023, bringing up the potential risks to the social care sector under new migration proposals, and the issue of workers in faith communities facing new barriers to entering the UK:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, I have three brief comments and questions. We know that there are 152,000 vacancies in social care in England, as reported by Skills for Care. This is of course a concern for the well-being of vulnerable people. The National Farmers’ Union reports a national shortage of 80,000 vacancies in the horticultural and agricultural sectors, but His Majesty’s Government estimate 40,000. This of course leads to a massive reduction in production and has an economic impact. As we know, this is further exacerbated in our rural communities. What conversations has the Minister had with these sectors about the risks inherent in their new policy?

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Bishop of St Albans asks about reports of Russian arms and goods being smuggled through Turkish ports

On 5th December 2023, the Bishop of St Albans asked a question on the government’s assessment of reports of Russians arms being smuggled through Turkish ports

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, could the Minister comment on his department’s assessment of reports that not only has Turkey vastly increased its trade with Russia but that Turkish ports are being used for arms smuggling and, in some cases, exporting dual-purpose goods into Russia, thereby helping Russia? I wonder what the assessment is, and what we might be able to do about that.

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Bishop of Worcester asks about funds for care of unaccompanied asylum seeking children

The Bishop of Worcester asked about funding for local authorities to support care for unaccompanied asylum seeking children on 5th December 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: My Lords, I join others in welcoming the Minister to his place. I note that Kent County Council announced last week that new arrival centres for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are being planned in the area but that the council is waiting for funding from central government. As the Minister said, the right and best place for separated children is under local authority care. What is the timeline for the funding to be issued to support Kent County Council fulfilling its statutory duty, especially given that it is responsible for hundreds more children than the prescribed limit under the national distribution system? We do not want to return to the use of hotels.

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Bishop of Chelmsford tackling issues of mould and damp in social and privately rented accommodation

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 5th December 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to tackle the issue of damp and mould in homes with children in (1) the social rented sector, and (2) the private rented sector.

Baroness Penn (Con, Department for Levelling-up, Housing & Communities): Damp and mould can have a serious impact on children’s health and it is unacceptable for anyone to have to live in such conditions.

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