Author: parliamentaryunit

Bishop of Coventry leads Lords debate on political solution to war in Syria

On 8th March 2016 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, led a short debate in the House of Lords “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their current assessment of the prospects for a political solution to the civil war in Syria.” The Bishop’s speech opening the debate is below, alongside the Minister’s response. All speeches made in the debate can be viewed here.

Bp Coventry May 2015The Lord Bishop of Coventry: My Lords, today’s short debate enables us to return to the prospects of a political solution to Syria’s catastrophic civil war—a civil war which now represents the world’s greatest humanitarian disaster and most dangerous geopolitical hotspot. The timing of this debate could not be more critical because, thankfully, we are now seeing tentative steps towards a cessation of hostilities in Syria and fragile efforts to resume face-to-face negotiations. The coming days and weeks will be difficult but when set against five years of utter desolation and destruction, these signs of hope represent an opportunity that must not be missed. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry leads Lords debate on political solution to war in Syria”

Housing and Planning Bill: Bishop of St Albans argues for rural housing association homes to be exempt from right to buy plans

On 8th March 2016 the House of Lords considered the Government’s Housing and Planning Bill in committee. The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, supported an amendment to clause 62 of the Bill, on social housing and the right to buy. The amendment, which was withdrawn after debate, sought to prevent right to buy applying to housing association properties in rural areas unless in exceptional cases.

Bishop St Albans June 2015The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I support Amendment 56, tabled by the noble Baroness, Lady Royall, to which I have added my name. I, along with other noble Lords, have received a number of letters from people living in rural areas who are deeply concerned at what seem the inevitable consequences if this issue is not addressed.

The major force of this amendment, as the noble Baroness pointed out, would be to change the emphasis in the current right-to-buy arrangement from one in which housing associations can choose to exempt themselves from exercising right to buy in rural areas, as per the current agreement, to one in which housing associations would be unable to exercise right to buy in rural areas, unless in exceptional cases, as set out in proposed new subsection (1A) of the amendment.

The rationale for the amendment is pretty simple. Affordable housing should not be sold off in communities where it will not be replaced. Continue reading “Housing and Planning Bill: Bishop of St Albans argues for rural housing association homes to be exempt from right to buy plans”

Bishop of Gloucester gives Maiden Speech on International Women’s Day

On the 7th March 2016, Baroness Williams of Trafford led a debate in the House of Lords, “that this House takes note of the progress made in the United Kingdom in the areas of women’s representation and empowerment 150 years after the 1866 petition to the House of Commons for women’s suffrage.” During the debate, the Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, gave her maiden speech, becoming the first female bishop in history to speak in the House of Lords.

Bishop of Gloucester 10The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords,

“This is a maiden speech, my Lords, and I would crave your indulgence”.

So began the maiden speech in November 1958 of Baroness Elliot of Harwood, the first female Peer to speak in this House. She went on to say,

“except for Her Majesty’s gracious Opening of Parliament, probably this is the first occasion in 900 years that the voice of a woman has been heard in the deliberations of this House”.—[Official Report, 4/11/1958; col. 161.]

I cannot make that claim but it certainly feels poignant to be participating in this particular debate as the first female bishop to be introduced as a Lord Spiritual. It is on that note that I thank noble Lords for the overwhelming warmth of their welcome, and for the most practical support that I have received from officers and staff. Continue reading “Bishop of Gloucester gives Maiden Speech on International Women’s Day”

Division: Tax Credits (Income Thresholds and Determination of Rates) (Amendment) Regulations 2016

On 7th March 2016 the House of Lords considered the Tax Credits (Income Thresholds and Determination of Rates) (Amendment) Regulations 2016.  Continue reading “Division: Tax Credits (Income Thresholds and Determination of Rates) (Amendment) Regulations 2016”

Bishop of St Albans asks about localism and Starter Homes

Bishop St Albans June 2015On 7th March 2016, Lord Shipley asked the Government “what is their definition of affordable housing.” The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a supplementary question and Baroness Williams of Trafford responded. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about localism and Starter Homes”

Church of England Week in Westminster 29th February – 4th March 2016

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

Westminster-abbeyThis week bishops in the House of Lords spoke to and voted on amendments to the Government’s Welfare Reform and Work Bill and spoke in a debate on sustainable technology. They asked questions on refugees in Calais, Sudan, family reunification, affordable housing, Daesh, Iraqi refugees, Israel, and mental health and prisons. In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered questions on former bishop George Bell and spoke in a debate on the Churches Conservation Trust.
Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 29th February – 4th March 2016”

Bishop of St Albans – technological goods should be designed to last longer

On 3rd March 2016 the House of Lords considered a questions for short debate tabled by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to promote the principles of the circular economy, based on the re-use, repair, refurbishment and recycling of existing materials and products, to protect the environment, give new growth opportunities and avoid waste.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, spoke in the debate:

 

Bishop St Albans June 2015The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, my thanks also go to the noble Baroness, Lady Jones of Whitchurch, for this important debate on the circular economy.

I want to spend just a few moments highlighting the economic and environmental impact of planned obsolescence—this has already been referred to —particularly in technological goods, which we know is used by companies to drive growth and ensure a steady supply of return customers. It is a business model that relies on technological products needing to be upgraded and/or replaced at regular intervals, whether because they go out of fashion, have a limited lifespan, or are difficult or expensive to repair. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans – technological goods should be designed to last longer”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government to ensure new prison designs take account of mental health needs

On 3rd March 2016 Lord Marks of Henley-on-Thames asked Her Majesty’s Government “what steps they are taking to tackle the incidence of deaths, serious assaults and incidents of self-harm in prison.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow up question:

 

Bishop of St AlbansThe Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, in the light of the welcome announcement last autumn that a number of the old, unsuitable prisons were going to be replaced with purpose-built ones, will the Minister assure the House that the specifications for those new-builds will take very careful account of mental health issues, consulting with the charities that are dealing with this particular area and producing excellent educational, medical and spiritual facilities, so that we can minimise the level of mental health problems and maximise rehabilitation? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government to ensure new prison designs take account of mental health needs”

Bishop of Southwark asks Government about building of separation barrier by Israel in the Cremisan Valley

BishSouthwarktaxcreditsOn 2nd March the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received two written answers to questions of Government on the building of a separation barrier by Israel in the Cremisan Valley:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel following its decision to start building the annexation wall in the Cremisan Valley, and in particular regarding building works on the privately owned land of Beir Onah in Beit Jala. [HL6278]

Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks Government about building of separation barrier by Israel in the Cremisan Valley”

Bishop of Southwark asks Government about help for Iraqi refugees in Jordan

On 2nd March 2016 the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received answers to three written questions on the plight of Iraqi refugees in Jordan.
BishSouthwarktaxcredits

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the conditions facing Iraqi refugees in Jordan. [HL6275]

Baroness Verma: The situation for many refugees in Jordan is challenging, irrespective of nationality. Services are provided by the international community and the Government of Jordan based on a system of prioritisation of the most vulnerable and Iraqi refugees are included in this system. Like all refugees, Iraqis are registered by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and access assistance from UN agencies, international NGOs and national NGOs. Partners assess vulnerability in Jordan at individual, community and household levels. These vulnerability assessments take into account positive coping strategies and support networks, which are understood to be better established among the Iraqi community, including through religious institutions such as mosques and churches. Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks Government about help for Iraqi refugees in Jordan”