On 5th and 6th October 2020 votes took place on amendments that Members of the House of Lords had tabled to the Government’s Immigration and Social Security (EU Withdrawal) Bill. Eleven bishops took part across eight separate votes, supporting amendments that were passed by majorities of the House, with one exception. A summary is below and the full text of each amendment is beneath. The amendments will now be considered by MPs who will have to decide whether to accept or reject each. Continue reading “Votes: Immigration and Social Security (EU Withdrawal) Bill 2020”
Author: parliamentaryunit
Immigration and Social Security (EU Withdrawal) Bill 2020: Bishop of Southwark backs changes on child refugees, detention, documentation
On 5th October 2020 the House of Lords considered amendments to the Government’s Immigration and Social Security (EU Withdrawal) Bill 2020 during the second day of its Report stage. The Bishop of Southwark spoke in favour of amendments to the Bill on
- Child refugees and family reunion
- Providing physical, not just digital, proof of settled and pre-settled status in the UK.
- Placing an upper limit of 28 days on the time an EEA or Swiss national may be held in immigration detention.
The texts of his speeches are below. He and ten other bishops voted on these and other amendments to the Bill and the details are recorded here.
Bishop of Southwark calls on Government to resume refugee resettlement programme
On 5th October 2020 Lord Foulkes of Cumnock asked the Government “whether they are planning (1) to establish asylum processing centres in British Overseas Territories, and (2) to house those who are seeking asylum on disused ferries; and, if so, how any such plans would comply with international obligations.” The Bishop of Southwark asked a further question:
The Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, talk of Her Majesty’s Government possibly acquiring timeshares in property on the isle of Elba or anywhere else aside, it is worth noting that the Home Secretary yesterday stressed the importance of “safe and legal routes” to asylum in the United Kingdom. I was grateful to hear that. Since the Government have now determined that it is safe and appropriate to resume deportation flights from the UK, will the Minister confirm that they have decided to resume immediately the refugee settlement programme they suspended in March? If not, will she inform the House of the difference in criteria for holiday and deportation flights and for those seeking sanctuary in this country? Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark calls on Government to resume refugee resettlement programme”
Bishop of Oxford calls for household access to digital connection to be treated equally to other household utilities
On 5th October 2020 Baroness McDonagh asked the Government “what assessment they have made of the impact on primary and secondary school students’ ability to learn for those students (1) who have digital connectivity, and (2) who do not have such connectivity, when learning from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.” The Bishop of Oxford asked a follow up question:
The Lord Bishop of Oxford [V]: My Lords, I thank the Minister for her Answer and for what the Government have already done. Before the pandemic, 23% of children in socioeconomic groups D and E lacked home broadband and access to laptops, et cetera. Does the Minister agree that we now need to measure data poverty and its effects more carefully? Will the Government commit to legislating for household digital access to be treated as a utility on an equal footing with the right to access for water and heat—a change supported by the general public? Continue reading “Bishop of Oxford calls for household access to digital connection to be treated equally to other household utilities”
Bishop of St Albans asks about prosecutions for genocide against Myanmar generals
On 5th October 2020 the Bishop of St Albans received a written answer to a question on Myanmar:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the UN Human Rights Council Report of the independent international fact-finding mission on Myanmar, published in September 2018, and in particular the recommendation that senior generals of the Myanmar military be investigated and prosecuted for genocide; and what support they plan to provide to the case brought by the government of The Gambia against the government of Myanmar currently before the International Court of Justice. [HL8425] Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about prosecutions for genocide against Myanmar generals”
Week in Westminster 28th September – 2nd October 2020
Parliament met this week in Westminster and online. Prayers were read at the start of each sitting day in the House of Lords by the Bishops of Gloucester and Rochester.
The Bishop of Gloucester asked Government about funding for its Female Offenders Strategy, and about support for children’s sport.
The Bishop of Durham supported amendments to the Government’s Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill, on the social care workforce and on children in care.
Bishops voted on amendments to the Bill, and also on a motion to regret the use of the temporary provisions in the Government’s Coronavirus Act.
The Bishop of Rochester called for effective parliamentary scrutiny of coronavirus restrictions. He also asked Government whether it would restart the vulnerable person’s resettlement scheme.
The Bishop of St Albans asked questions of Government about Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the case of Asif Pervaiz, a Christian sentenced to death under blasphemy laws in Pakistan. He also supported amendments to the Government’s Trade Bill during its Committee Stage, about ensuring that future trade agreements are fully compliant with international environmental obligations, and meet standards on animal welfare and food safety.
Trade Bill: Bishop of St Albans supports amendments to ensure trade deals meet standards on climate, environment, food and animal welfare
On 1st October 2020 the House of Lords considered the Government’s Trade Bill in Committee. The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, spoke in support of amendments to the Bill to ensure that future trade agreements are fully compliant with international environmental obligations, and meet standards on animal welfare and food safety.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans [V]: I plan to speak mainly on Amendment 12, but I also support Amendment 40 and, particularly, Amendment 69 in this group [texts below]. Leaving the European Union should not mean leaving our international obligations. Recognition of those conventions mentioned under Amendment 12 is, one would imagine, already accounted for in the existing trade agreements due to be transposed into UK law as a result of this Bill. However, without this amendment, these remain an expectation not an assurance.
Bishop of Gloucester asks about Government support for children’s sport
On 1st October 2020 questions in the House of Lords were put to Government on support for professional and amateur sport. The Bishop of Gloucester, Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, asked a question:
The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords, I was pleased to hear that the Government believes that sports clubs are the beating heart of their communities. As bishops we like to believe that is also true of our church communities, and indeed all communities of faith – and the Church of England is currently investing in pilot projects including my own diocese, focusing on sport and wellbeing underpinned by our Christian faith. Indeed the Bishop of Derby is the lead bishop for sport.
Can the government say what investment will the Government make into local provision for children and young people to engage in sports and physical activity that is shaped by them, given the research of the Children’s Society highlighting the importance not only of chosen physical activity but also of positive time with peers, and the fact that that has all been horribly impacted by Covid-19?
Continue reading “Bishop of Gloucester asks about Government support for children’s sport”
Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill: Bishop of Durham supports amendments on social care workforce and children in care
On Wednesday 30th September 2020 the House of Lords considered amendments to the Government’s Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill during its Report Stage. The Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, spoke in support of two amendments, on:
- Researching and reporting on the impact on the social care workforce.
- Ensuring that children of EEA and Swiss nationals, in care and entitled to care leaving support, do not become undocumented by receiving automatic Indefinite Leave to Remain under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Votes on the amendments were deferred until the following week due to technical problems.
Vote: Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill
On 30th September 2020 a vote was held on an amendment to the Government’s Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill. The Bishop of Durham took part:
Continue reading “Vote: Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill”
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