On 5th March 2026, the second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following written answers to questions from MPs:
Churches: Listed Buildings
Mr Gregory Campbell MP (DUP, East Londonderry): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, how many listed churches have been demolished in each of the last five years.
Marsha De Cordova MP (Lab, Battersea): The Church Commissioners can only answer questions about the buildings in the care of the Church of England. Of the 16,000 church buildings in its care, over 12,000 are listed.
Demolition of a church is a last resort and happens very rarely, and only after all other options have been considered. Over the last five years, only one listed church building has been demolished, and consent has been granted for the demolition of one further case, which is yet to be implemented. In both cases, the churches had significant structural flaws arising from their construction or defects in their building materials, making repair impossible or too costly. In both cases, alternative provision has been and continues to be made for the worshipping community.
Church of England: Safeguarding
Cameron Thomas MP (LD, Tewkesbury): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what criteria are used to assess whether safeguarding arrangements in the Church of England are adequate.
Marsha De Cordova: In response to the recommendations made in the IICSA Enquiry, an independent audit programme delivered by INEQE was commissioned across all dioceses, cathedrals & the National Safeguarding Team. INEQE use the National Safeguarding Standards to measure progress. The standards are available here: https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/national-safeguarding-standards(opens in a new tab)
To date, INEQE have reviewed the National Safeguarding Team and 22 dioceses, including their cathedrals. 17 of the reports have been published, and the remaining reports will be published soon. The reports can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/reviews-and-reports/independent-safeguarding-audit-programme(opens in a new tab)
INEQE is ensuring that all relevant parts of the Church of England are reviewed, including the Diocese in Europe, and the Crown Dependencies of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
The INEQE audit of dioceses is scheduled to run until early 2028 and INEQE also produces Annual Reports that highlight themes of good practice and areas for improvement.
Cameron Thomas: To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, how potential conflicts between safeguarding outcomes and reputational and legal risk management are identified and managed during safeguarding decision-making.
Marsha De Cordova: Safeguarding risks are managed through a Safeguarding Case Management Group (SCMG) process under the 2025 managing allegations code of practice. The role of the group includes managing both individual and organisational (reputational) risks, whilst being cognisant of the legality of decisions and proposed risk management recommendations. Legal advice is sought throughout the process, and on some occasions registrars are members of the SCMG.
Cameron Thomas: To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, whether current Church safeguarding guidance on engagement with parishes during live criminal investigations is consistent with national safeguarding and policing best practice.
Marsha De Cordova: Internal church safeguarding processes run in tandem with those conducted by statutory services. Criminal investigations will always take primacy over internal processes, which must do nothing to frustrate criminal proceedings. Safeguarding Case Management Groups (SCMGs) will always seek advice from the police before undertaking any messaging within parishes. Police and other statutory services are invited to SCMGs to ensure information sharing. Guidance on referring to statutory services is contained within the 2025 Managing Allegations Code.
Clergy: Conflicts of Interest
Cameron Thomas: To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what formal processes exist to (a) identify and (b) manage conflicts of interest during senior Church appointments where safeguarding concerns have been raised.
Marsha De Cordova: I refer the Hon Member for Tewkesbury to the previous answer UIN 108535(opens in a new tab)
In addition, all those involved in Crown Nominations Commissions (CNCs) are asked to declare any conflicts of interest, with professional advice sought and appropriate action taken to address any impacts where they arise.
Bishops: Disciplinary Proceedings
Cameron Thomas: To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment she has made of the potential challenges for Clergy Disciplinary Measure processes involving senior Archbishops to be held within existing episcopal structures.
Marsha De Cordova: I refer the Hon Member for Tewkesbury to the previous answer UIN 108534(opens in a new tab)
Additionally, the current Clergy Discipline Measure was approved by Parliament in 2003 and came into operation in 2006. The legislation requires allegations of misconduct against a bishop to be laid before the relevant archbishop and allegations of misconduct against an archbishop to be laid before the other archbishop. The General Synod has recently passed a new Clergy Conduct Measure, which, if approved by Parliament, will replace the Clergy Discipline Measure in 2027. Under the Clergy Conduct Measure, allegations against an archbishop are to be laid before an independent judge.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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