Author: parliamentaryunit

Bishop of Norwich asks about special educational needs and disabilities provision

The Bishop of Norwich asked about the need for other educational provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities, during a discussion on SEND budget funding on 3rd December 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, does the Minister agree that, when there is not enough support for SEND pupils in a classroom, it has a major impact on other pupils in the classroom and on teachers themselves, some of whom are leaving the profession because of the stresses they are under? Does the Minister agree that sometimes it is in other educational provision, such as forest school and play, that these children can really thrive?

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Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill: Bishop of Norwich urges action to protect marine environments

The Bishop of Norwich spoke at the second reading of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill on 2nd December 2025, supporting the legislation and urging the government to act to protect marine environments:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, I plan to speak in favour of the Bill before your Lordships’ House at Second Reading, but first I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Whitehead, on his maiden speech. My first recollection of Southampton was visiting the Royal Research Ship “Bransfield” before it departed for the Antarctic. As a 10 year-old, it was so exciting to explore that ship before it travelled to some of the harshest high seas on the planet.

The world’s oceans support biodiversity, regulate climate, store carbon, sustain global food webs, and provide critical genetic and biological resources. Protecting them is vital not only for ocean health but for the stability and well-being of the entire planet. I thus thank the Minister, the noble Lord, Lord Whitehead, together with the noble Baroness, Lady Chapman, for bringing this Bill and for seeking its speedy but well-scrutinised passage so that the UK can have a seat at the first Conference of the Parties to the UN BBNJ.

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Bishop of Hereford asks about digital connectivity in rural areas

The Bishop of Hereford asked a question on ensuring digital connectivity in rural areas during a discussion on online communications in healthcare on 2nd December 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Hereford: My Lords, the passion displayed in this House for digital inclusion is extraordinarily commendable, but these difficulties are compounded in rural areas by very poor connectivity. Many areas endure significant restrictions in broadband and mobile connectivity, which compounds the problems. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that good connectivity is rolled out across the whole country?

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Church Commissioners Written Questions: Clergy (Abuse), Church Schools (Admissions), Church of England (Assets)

On 2nd December 2025, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following written answers to questions from MPs:

Clergy: Abuse

Cat Smith MP (Lab, Lancaster and Wye): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church is taking to rebuild trust with survivors of abuse within the Church of England.

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Bishop of Norwich asks about climate finance and deforestation

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answer on 2nd December 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich asked His Majesty’s Government what progress has been made on their stated ambition to deliver £11.6 billion of International Climate Finance between April 2021 and March 2026, of which £1.5 billion should be adaptation and resilience finance for 2025.

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House of Commons considers Armed Forces Chaplains and Abuse Redress Measure

On 1st December 2025, the House of Commons Delegated Legislation Committee sat to consider two Church Measures, the Armed Forces Chaplains (Licensing) Measure and the Abuse Redress Measure:

The Chair (David Mundell MP): I call the Second Church Estates Commissioner to move the first motion and to speak to both Measures. At the end of the debate, I will put the question on the first motion, and then ask the Commissioner to move the second motion formally.

Marsha De Cordova MP (Lab, Battersea): I beg to move,

That the Committee has considered the Armed Forces Chaplains (Licensing) Measure (HC 1454).

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Bishop of Hereford tables question on effects of agricultural policy on small farms

The Bishop of Hereford tabled a question on ensuring that agricultural policies improve the profitability and long-term viability of small farming enterprises on 1st December 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Hereford: To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that agricultural policies improve the profitability and long-term viability of small farming enterprises.

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Bishop of Manchester asks about support for children orphaned as a result of AIDS

On 1st December 2025, the Bishop of Manchester asked a question on support for children orphaned as a result of AIDS, during a discussion marking World AIDS Day 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, one of the most tragic consequences of AIDS remains children who lose both their parents at a very young age and often end up in an orphanage. We were talking in the House just last week about some of the challenges of orphanages. What is the Government’s plan to support children who have been left orphaned as a result of AIDS?

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Church Commissioners Written Questions: Church of England (CCTV)

On 1st December 2025, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following written answer to a question from an MP:

Church of England: CCTV

Laurence Turner MP (Lab, Birmingham Northfield): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, whether the Church makes funding available for the installation of CCTV cameras at pastoral buildings that are not churches.

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Crime and Policing Bill: Bishop of Manchester supports amendments on combatting child trafficking and improving safeguarding regulations

On 27th November 2025, the Bishop of Manchester spoke in support of an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill which would expand the definition of exploitation under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 to include children who have been recruited into residential care institutions that engage in orphanage trafficking:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, I too support this amendment in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Randall of Uxbridge. It is my privilege, as I travel around the world visiting Anglican provinces, often to visit orphanages and see some of the work they do. As noble Lords have already said, many of these children still have a living parent somewhere, but that parent, for whatever reason, no longer feels able or wishes to look after them, particularly if the mother has died in childbirth.

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