On 18th June 2018 the EU (Withdrawal) Bill returned to the House of Lords for consideration of the Commons amendments. Viscount Hailsham tabled an amendment on a ‘meaningful vote’ for MPs in a no-deal scenario. The Bishops of Durham, Lincoln and Worcester voted on the amendment: Continue reading “Vote: EU (Withdrawal) Bill”
Author: parliamentaryunit
Bishop of Durham asks Government about ‘rape clause’ exemption on two-child limit for new benefit claims
On 18th June 2018 the Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, received a written answer to a question about the Government’s two-child limit on tax credit and universal credit claims:
The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to amend the ordering restriction on the exemption from the two-child limit for children born as a result of non-consensual conception. Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks Government about ‘rape clause’ exemption on two-child limit for new benefit claims”
Times: Bishop of St Albans voices concern about delay in reduction of betting machine stakes
On 16th June 2018 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, was a signatory to a letter to The Times newspaper registering concern about reports of a delay to the implementation of a reduction in stakes to £2 for fixed-odds betting terminals:
Sir, Your report (June 15) that bookmakers have struck a backroom deal with the Treasury to delay for two years the implementation of the stake reduction on highly addictive fixed-odds betting terminals from £100 a spin to £2 is deeply disturbing. Continue reading “Times: Bishop of St Albans voices concern about delay in reduction of betting machine stakes”
Week in Westminster, 11th-15th June 2018
This week in the House of Lords bishops spoke and voted on UK citizenship fees, an amendment to the Government’s Civil Liability Bill and the membership of a Lords committee. They asked questions about crimes against humanity in Myanmar, and funding for women’s centres. In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered a question on Seaham Parish Church. Continue reading “Week in Westminster, 11th-15th June 2018”
Vote: Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2018
On 12th June 2018 the House of Lords considered the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2018. A vote was taken on a regret motion from Baroness Lister of Burtersett: Continue reading “Vote: Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2018”
Bishop of Derby on the meaning and cost of citizenship
On 12th June 2018 the House of Lords debated the motion ‘That this House regrets that the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2018 include a £39 increase in the fee for registering children entitled to British citizenship, given that only £372 of the proposed £1,012 fee is attributable to administrative costs; and calls on Her Majesty’s Government to withdraw the fee increase until they have (1) published a children’s best interests impact assessment of the fee level, and (2) established an independent review of fees for registering children as British citizens, in the light of the report of the Select Committee on Citizenship and Civic Engagement (HL Paper 118) (SI 2018/330)’. The Bishop of Derby, Rt Revd Alastair Redfern, spoke in the debate:
The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I support the Motion of the noble Baroness, Lady Lister, and associate myself with the remarks of the noble Lord, Lord Alton. I will not go into the mathematics—which are very simple, in a way—but I invite the Minister to help us understand the Government’s role in dealing with citizenship. This is about citizenship, not immigration, although sometimes they are linked. Continue reading “Bishop of Derby on the meaning and cost of citizenship”
Vote: International Relations Committee Appointment
On 12th June 2018 the House of Lords voted on a motion from the Senior Deputy Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith):
“that Baroness Anelay of St Johns be appointed a member of the Select Committee in the place of Lord Balfe, resigned.” Continue reading “Vote: International Relations Committee Appointment”
Vote: Civil Liability Bill
On 12th June 2018 the House of Lords considered the Civil Liability Bill [HL].
Lord Woolf moved amendment 18, to leave out clause 2 (which would have removed the introduction of a tariff system for whiplash injuries). Continue reading “Vote: Civil Liability Bill”
Bishop of St Albans asks Government about crimes against minorities in Myanmar
On 12th June 2018 Lord Alton of Liverpool asked Her Majesty’s Government “what assessment they have made of recent reports of the Burmese military attacking Christians in Kachin, and other ethnic minorities in Burma; what representations they have made to the government of Burma about these reports; and what consideration they have given to the case for referring the government of Burma to the International Criminal Court.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow-up question:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, the reported atrocities against the Rohingya have been described as crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and genocide. What assessment have Her Majesty’s Government made as to whether the human rights violations in Kachin and Shan states meet the criteria of at least crimes against humanity and war crimes? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about crimes against minorities in Myanmar”
Bishop of Ely asks Government about funding for more women’s centres
On 11th June 2018 Baroness Fall asked Her Majesty’s Government “what percentage of women in prison have dependants under 16 years old; and what is the average length of stay in prison for such women.” The Bishop of Ely, Rt Revd Stephen Conway, asked a follow-up question:
The Lord Bishop of Ely: My Lords, the Ministry of Justice has produced clear evidence that women’s centres are effective at reducing reoffending, provide joined-up community services to support physical and mental health needs and give more opportunities to women to have access to their children. What assessment does the Minister make of the need for increased funding to sustain and open more women’s centres? Continue reading “Bishop of Ely asks Government about funding for more women’s centres”
You must be logged in to post a comment.