On 19th January 2026, the House of Lords debated the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Votes were held on amendments to the bill, in which Bishops took part. The Bishop of Manchester also tabled his own amendments to the bill:
Division 1:
The Bishop of Chester took part in a vote on an amendment tabled by Lord Storey, to insert the new clause Adoption and special guardianship support fund review into the bill.
The amendment was agreed. Content: 235 / Not Content: 164
The Bishop of Chester voted Content.
Division 2:
The Bishop of Manchester took part in a vote on an amendment tabled by Baroness Tyler of Enfield to insert the new clause Promoting contact between siblings who are not living together into the bill.
The amendment was agreed. Content: 232 / Not Content: 160
The Bishop of Manchester voted Content.
Division 3:
The Bishop of Chester and the Bishop of Manchester took part in a vote on an amendment tabled by Lord Bellingham which would aim to highlight the need to include health agencies in the regional cooperation arrangements.
The amendment was agreed. Content: 216 / Not Content: 161
The Bishop of Chester and the Bishop of Manchester voted Content.
Division 4:
The Bishop of Manchester took part in a vote on an amendment tabled by Baroness Barran, which would seek to ensure that joint funding arrangements to be made by relevant health providers for the accommodation of children under section 25 of the Children Act 1989, and that by mandating joint funding from NHS England, integrated care boards, and other specified health authorities, children receive more holistic and joined up support.
The amendment was agreed. Content: 159 / Not Content: 153
The Bishop of Manchester voted Content.
Division 5:
The Bishop of Manchester tabled his amendment to the bill which would require an annual review of the effects of deprivation of liberty (section 25 orders) on children.
The amendment was disagreed. Content: 148 / Not Content: 156
The Bishop of Manchester voted Content.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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