Church Commissioners Written Questions: Church Services (Internet), Clergy

On 4th September 2025, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following written answers to questions from an MP:

Church Services: Internet

Andrew Rosindell MP (Con, Romford): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what funds the Commissioners allocate to parish churches for the enabling of online church services.

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Bishop of Leeds asks about recognising roots of global conflicts

The Bishop of Leeds asked a question on tackling the root causes of conflicts in Africa and the Middle East on 1st September 2025, following a government statement on the situation in Gaza:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, I totally endorse what has been said about Sudan. I was there a year ago and am in almost weekly contact with people there at the moment. But I am slightly worried about the terms in which we debate some of these matters, such as Gaza and Ukraine. The crisis in Ukraine did not begin on 24 February 2023; the crisis in Gaza and the Middle East did not begin on 7 October 2023. Our attempts to simplify the conflict, perhaps for conceptual reasons, do not always help us. It is immensely complex, it goes back a long way and 7 October cannot be the justification for everything that follows. Does the Minister agree?

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Bishop of Norwich asks about energy and environment

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answers on 1st September 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich asked His Majesty’s Government what support will be available to schools to decarbonise following the closure of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

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Bishop of Lincoln asks about need for affordable housing to combat child poverty

The Bishop of Lincoln received the following written answer on 1st September 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Lincoln asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of (1) the report by the Children’s Commissioner, Growing up in a low-income family: Children’s experiences, published on 8 July; and (2) the recommendation that children in low-income households be prioritised for access to new homes under the Affordable Homes Programme.

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Bishop of Leicester asks about efforts to combat socio-economic inequality

The Bishop of Leicester received the following written answer on 1st September 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester asked His Majesty’s Government whether they plan to announce a commencement order for the socio-economic duty in section 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

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Bishop of Lincoln asks about sustainable farming

The Bishop of Lincoln received the following written answer on 1st September 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Lincoln asked His Majesty’s Government when they will announce details of the eligibility criteria and timeline for introducing a new Sustainable Farming Incentive offer.

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Bishop of Norwich asks about settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answers on 1st September 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich asked His Majesty’s Government:

  • what assessment they have made of ongoing settler attacks on Palestinian communities in Taybeh in the West Bank, including the attack on St George’s Church on 7 July; and what steps they are taking to impose travel bans and financial sanctions on those responsible.
  • what representation they have made to the government of Israel to investigate and prevent the reported incidents of arson and assaults by settlers on Palestinian property, agricultural land and holy sites in Taybeh in the West Bank.
  • whether they have met or intend to meet representatives of the Greek Orthodox Church, Latin Church, and the Melkite Geek Catholic Church following settler violence against Palestinian communities in Taybeh in the West Bank.
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Church Commissioners Written Questions: Religious Buildings, Retired Clergy, Church Closures, Clergy Vacancies, Slavery, Religious Practice

On 1st September 2025, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following written answers to questions from MPs:

Religious Buildings

Andrew Rosindell MP (Con, Romford): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, whether the National Church Institutions have issued guidance on the use of sacred places of worship for secular purposes.

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Bishop of Newcastle asks about methods of crime prevention for young people

The Bishop of Newcastle asked a question on development of Young Futures Hubs on 24th July 2025, during a discussion on their potential to improve crime prevention and the need to ensure equality of access to the service:

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle: My Lords, it is important that the Young Futures hubs are developed in such a way that they respond to the distinct challenges in different local contexts. How do the Government intend to work with and consult young people from different regions of the UK to help shape and develop these important services?

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Votes: Employment Rights Bill

On 23rd July 2025, the House of Lords debated the Employment Rights Bill. Votes were held on amendments to the bill, in which Bishops took part:

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