Author: parliamentaryunit

Bishop of Leeds asks about religious freedom in Pakistan

The Bishop of Leeds received the following written answer on 8th July 2021:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds asked Her Majesty’s Government:

  • what steps they are taking to engage with (1) religious, and (2) belief, leaders in Pakistan about the state of freedom of (a) religion, and (b) belief, in that country; and what support they are providing to help those leaders address any matters of concern.
  • what discussions they have had with the government of Pakistan concerning the state of freedom of (1) religion, and (2) belief, in that country; and what support they have offered that government to protect those freedoms.
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Bishop of Durham asks about healthcare costs for EU nationals resident in the UK

The Bishop of Durham received the following written answer on 8th July 2021:

The Lord Bishop of Durham asked Her Majesty’s Government whether EU nationals living in the UK before 31 December 2020 and who go on to be granted settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme will be liable for chargeable healthcare as set out in NHS Charging Regulations guidance or whether they are entitled to free healthcare.

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Environment Bill: Bishop of Manchester supports amendments to preserve biodiversity

On 7th July 2021, the House of Lords debated the Environment Bill in the sixth day of the Committee stage. The Bishop of Manchester spoke in the debate, in support of a group of amendments aimed at preserving and protecting biodiversity in terms of land use regulations:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, I draw your Lordships’ attention to my interests as set out in the register, specifically with the Church Commissioners—a significant owner of agricultural and development land. On matters of climate change, we are a leading edge and an awarding-winning investor, yet the Bill reminds us that climate is only part of the story.

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Bishop of Ely urges statement of government support for Palestinian communities

The Bishop of Ely asked a question on the status of Palestinian land in the West Bank on 7th July 2021, urging that the government show support for the rights and aspirations of Palestinians, including Palestinian Christian communities:

The Lord Bishop of Ely: With little prospect of negotiations resuming, will the Minister accept that the continued settlement building programme amounts to an incremental and de facto annexation of the West Bank? The international community needs to promote the rights of all Palestinians, including the Christian community. Does the Minister agree that a strong endorsement of Palestinian aspirations by the Government would demonstrate to the Palestinian public the possibility of international political process and show that Her Majesty’s Government are committed to active peacemaking rather than merely to conflict management?

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Bishop of Rochester asks about coronavirus regulations affecting communal singing and places of worship

Following a government update on COVID-19 in the UK on 6th July 2021, the Bishop of Rochester asked a question about regulations surrounding communal worship and singing in schools and religious settings:

The Lord Bishop of Rochester: My Lords, while there continue to be understandable anxieties and not least concerns about potential pressures on the NHS, many will welcome the prospect of the removal of restrictions on gathering in a range of settings including, I note, for communal worship, singing and performances. Given the move from rule and regulation to guidance and good sense, do Her Majesty’s Government intend to issue any guidance specific to places of worship and in relation to communal singing in settings such as community choirs, other choral groups and schools, or is that to be left to the good sense of those responsible?

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Bishop of Rochester asks about role of voluntary and community groups in Royal Commission on the Criminal Justice System

Following a question on the progress of the setting up of a Royal Commission on the Criminal Justice System on 6th July 2021, the Bishop of Rochester asked a question on whether voluntary and community organisations would have the opportunity to contribute to the work of the Commission:

The Lord Bishop of Rochester: My Lords, I welcome the noble Lord’s Question. As one who is soon to depart this place, I hope that he continues to pursue this and other such matters with his customary vigour and determination. Noble Lords will know of the significant contribution of voluntary and charitable groups, including those which are faith based, to work in the criminal justice sector. Many of these organisations are keen for the work of the royal commission to proceed as soon as possible in order to provide a framework for future work. Can the Minister confirm that such groups will have an opportunity to contribute in a substantive way to the royal commission’s work?

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Bishop of St Albans asks about rural housing

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 5th July 2021:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to (1) review, and (2) update, what constitutes a designated ‘rural area’ within the terms of section 157 of the Housing Act 1985 with a view to including more smaller rural communities.

Lord Greenhalgh (Con): The areas set out under section 157 of the Housing Act 1985 are National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and areas designated as rural for the purposes of Right to Buy by the Secretary of State.

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Bishop of St Albans criticises cuts in global aid amid COVID-19 pandemic

The Bishop of St Albans spoke in a debate in response to cuts to overseas aid on 1st July 2021, criticising the decision to reduce aid at a time when many countries are experiencing negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and calling for the cuts to be reversed:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, these cuts raise profound ethical questions as the world faces the worst pandemic in over a century. Despite all the talk of global Britain, these cuts shout out that we are withdrawing from the world stage. Here we are, planning booster vaccinations in the UK this autumn, while only 0.9% of people in low-income countries have received even one dose. Covid is a global problem, and it is made worse when essentials such as clean water and basic health programmes, often provided by British aid, are cut.

Yesterday, I met the ambassador of Ethiopia, who spoke with grave concern about the cut in aid to Ethiopia, which is likely to be by more than 50%. Currently, less than 2% of its population is vaccinated, and it faces a third wave while simultaneously managing the fallout from the conflict in Tigray and famine due partly to war and partly to the swarms of locusts.

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Bishop of Gloucester speaks about impact of aid cuts on women and girls

The Bishop of Gloucester spoke in a debate on the UK Foreign Aid Programme on 1st July 2021, stressing the impact cuts to aid would have on women and girls:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords, I have spoken before about the challenges faced by girls and women throughout the world, and I am therefore dismayed, along with others, by what we hear of the impact of the aid cuts on them. As the noble Baroness, Lady Sugg, said so eloquently, women and girls will suffer disproportionately as a result of these cuts. I understand that Her Majesty’s Government have undertaken a central equalities impact assessment. However, I believe this is yet to be published and I would be grateful for an update from the Minister.

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Bishop of Gloucester asks about prioritising the voices of children in conversations on the impact of COVID-19

The Bishop of Gloucester asked a question on prioritising children’s voices on 1st July 2021, during a debate on the effects of COVID-19 on education:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: Throughout the pandemic there has been a noticeable lack of briefings aimed specifically at children and a great absence of their voices. I was glad to host an event for MPs and key leaders in Gloucestershire where all the input came from young people. Can the Minister give an assurance that, in looking at the impact of Covid on the lives of children, it is they who will be asked and heard?

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