Author: parliamentaryunit

Minister commends work of Church-run Clewer Initiative to combat modern slavery

Caroline 4On the 17th January 2018 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, asked a question in the House of Commons of the Minister for the Middle East. Dame Caroline highlighted the work the Church is doing to tackle modern-day slavery through the Clewer Initiative

Dame Caroline Spelman (Meriden) (Con): Will the Minister commend the work the Church of England is doing on modern-day slavery with its We See You campaign to help us all identify victims, including from Libya, more easily? All too often they are invisible to us.

Continue reading “Minister commends work of Church-run Clewer Initiative to combat modern slavery”

Bishop of Durham highlights work of faith-based charities and role of volunteers

On Tuesday 16th January 2018 the House of Lords debated a motion from Baroness Pitkeathley “That this House takes note of the Report from the Select Committee on Charities Stronger charities for a stronger society (Session 2016-17, HL Paper 133).” The Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, spoke in the debate:

The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, I draw notice to my charitable interests as listed in the House register.

This insightful report rightly stresses that we live in a time when charities provide an ever-greater volume and range of social provision in our society. Therefore, their role must be thoughtfully recognised and supported by the Government. I am proud of the role that the Church of England and all UK faith groups play in this provision. As examples, we run food banks, advice drop-ins, youth clubs and practical skills and jobs training, support the elderly and offer legal support to asylum seekers. According to New Philanthropy Capital, more than a quarter of charities in Great Britain have an association with faith and many people of faith help in the full range of charities. The significance of faith as a motivator for charitable action should never be underestimated. The particular needs and challenges that the Church and other faith-based charities face must be considered and taken seriously in any coherent strategy for the long-term flourishing of UK charities. Continue reading “Bishop of Durham highlights work of faith-based charities and role of volunteers”

Bishop of Leeds asks Government about future of those displaced by fighting in Kurdistan region

On 16th January 2018 Baroness Hodgson of Abinger asked Her Majesty’s Government “what help they are giving refugees and internally displaced persons in the countries bordering Syria who have been displaced by fighting and the actions of Daesh”. The Bishop of Leeds, Rt Revd Nick Baines, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, is the Minister aware that there is a generational challenge here? When one visits Kurdistan, in particular, the older generation of those who have been internally displaced or who are refugees still have a conception of home to which they might wish to return. The younger generation, whoever you talk to, do not see that home as existing. They want to be somewhere else. Are the long-term implications of this, particularly in relation to the education of children, being taken seriously by Her Majesty’s Government? Continue reading “Bishop of Leeds asks Government about future of those displaced by fighting in Kurdistan region”

Church Commissioners’ Written Answer: St Elisabeth’s Church, Eastbourne

On Tuesday 16th January the Second Church Estates Commissioner, the Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP answered a written question from the Rt Hon Frank Field MP about the future of St Elisabeth’s Church, Eastbourne.

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Bishop of Durham asks Government about future of Carillion apprentices

On Monday 15th January 2018 Government Minister Lord Young of Cookham repeated a statement on Carillion, which had been given in the House of Commons. The Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, asked a follow up question:  

The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, I note the comments already made about apprentices, but it is often those at the beginning of their careers who are most affected and most quickly forgotten. Carillion itself committed to creating 5,000 apprenticeships by 2019, and its website states that around 2,000 students are in training as part of an apprenticeship programme across 13 centres at any one time, so we are not talking about a small number. How can the Minister assure us that those apprentices and students—because some are on student schemes—will be given serious consideration to ensure that their careers are not affected? Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks Government about future of Carillion apprentices”

Votes – Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill 2017-19

On 15th January 2018 the House of Lords considered the Government’s Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill at its Report Stage.  Several bishops took part in two votes on amendments to the Bill: Continue reading “Votes – Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill 2017-19”

Bishop of Leeds calls for honesty and transparency over UK’s defence capabilities

On Monday 15th January 2018 the House of Lords heard the repeat of a Government statement on the National Security Capability Review. The Bishop of Leeds, Rt Revd Nick Baines, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, would the Minister agree with me that it is important in any public statement that the people of this country are properly apprised of the fact that, if we say yes to and prioritise some elements of our defence capability, we are inevitably saying no to others, and that we are given a proper appraisal of what our capability actually is? In this country, particularly in some of our newspapers, we still hear statements that imply almost that Britannia still rules the waves. Our rhetoric and prioritising ought to match the reality of the situation in which we find ourselves. Continue reading “Bishop of Leeds calls for honesty and transparency over UK’s defence capabilities”

Bishop of Durham highlights work of schools and places of worship to support Commonwealth Summit

On Monday 15th January 2018 Baroness Berridge asked Her Majesty’s Government “how they will ensure the engagement of faith leaders in events around the Commonwealth Summit in April.” The Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, the Minister may not be aware of the initiative of the lord-lieutenant of County Durham in having a schools conference in the lead-up, which will end up in Durham Cathedral. Will the noble Lord commend the work in schools, cathedrals and other major places of worship to engage in such things to enhance the Commonwealth conference? Continue reading “Bishop of Durham highlights work of schools and places of worship to support Commonwealth Summit”

Bishop of Chichester, Rt Revd Martin Warner, joins the Lords

On Monday 15th January 2018 the Bishop of Chichester, Rt Revd Martin Warner, was introduced to the House of Lords and took his seat on the Bishops’ Benches.

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Week in Westminster, 8th-12th January 2018

This week in the House of Lords bishops led a debate on the situation of ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq, welcomed a Government Bill to help victims of domestic violence and spoke in debates on social media and housebuilding. They asked questions about homelessness, child refugees, and the probation service. In the House of Commons, the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered a written question about Scrooby parish church. Continue reading “Week in Westminster, 8th-12th January 2018”