Author: parliamentaryunit

Bishop of Chester asks Government about parental engagement with PSHE

On the 10th February 2016 Baroness Massey of Darwen asked the Government “what steps they propose to take to make Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education compulsory within the curriculum”. The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Peter Forster, asked a follow up question.

14.03 Bishop of ChesterThe Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, although I agree with all that the Minister has said in response to the questions, is it not the case that engaging parents—making sure that what is taught in schools relates to and engages parents as much as possible—is also important to any government action which may be forthcoming in the future? Continue reading “Bishop of Chester asks Government about parental engagement with PSHE”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about housebuilding in flood areas

StAlbans171115On the 10th February 2016 the Bishop of St Albans received two written answers about housing and flooding.

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many new housing developments were built in the period 2010 to 2015 against advice given by the Environment Agency. [HL5516] Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about housebuilding in flood areas”

Welfare Reform Bill – Bishop of Portsmouth thanks Government for amendments

On 9th February 2016 the House of Lords passed the Government’s Welfare Reform and Work Bill at Third Reading. The Bishop of Portsmouth, Rt Revd Christopher Foster, spoke briefly to thank the Minister for the amendments agreed by Government.

The Lord Bishop of Portsmouth: My Lords, without wanting to detain the House, I add on behalf of this Bench our thanks to the Minister and offer our support and gratitude for the amendments he has brought forward today. The concerns that have been expressed around the House on many occasions for those who are most vulnerable in society have been passionate and heartfelt. It is good and reassuring when they are heard, and we offer our thanks as well.

(via Parliament.uk)

 

Bishop of Rochester says regenerating housing estates is about investing in more than just buildings

On 9th February 2016 Baroness Janke asked Her Majesty’s Government “whether they will provide further information on their proposals for renewal or replacement of failed housing estates, following the announcement by the Prime Minister of £140 million funding; and whether any additional funding will be made available.” The Bishop of Rochester, Rt Revd James Langstaff, asked a follow up question:

RochesterThe Lord Bishop of Rochester: My Lords, I speak as one who lived on one of these estates for some 10 years in the 1980s and 1990s at a time when significant public money was invested in that estate. My memory, looking back with the benefit of hindsight, is that we probably gave relatively too much attention to physical investment and not enough to investment in other kinds of infrastructure. Will the Minister assure me that, while attention is given to the physical fabric, whether that is new or renewed, equal attention—maybe even over and above the £140 million, or another £140 million—will be given to such matters as educational, social and economic infrastructure?

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The right reverend Prelate makes a really good point about regeneration being about not just the physical structures that are in place but some of the social structures that are in place to support communities, and other amenities, as he said, such as schools, hospitals and GP surgeries, that so often are not thought about when we think about regeneration.

(via Parliament.uk)

 

Trade Union Bill – Bishop of Chester supports amendment on electronic balloting

ChesterOn 8th February 2016, the House of Lords considered the Government’s Trade Union Bill in committee. The Bishop of Chester, Rt Revd Peter Forster, spoke in favour of amendments to allowing electronic voting in union ballots alongside the Bill’s introduction of mandatory thresholds for strike ballots.  Baroness Neville-Rolfe responded for the Government. Continue reading “Trade Union Bill – Bishop of Chester supports amendment on electronic balloting”

Bishop of Rochester asks about unaccompanied refugee children

On 8th February 2016, Lord Roberts of Llandudno asked the government “what action they are taking to relieve the situation of unaccompanied refugee children.” The Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Revd James Langstaff, asked a follow up question.

RochesterThe Lord Bishop of Rochester: My Lords, as one of the bishops from Kent, may I take the Minister back to his previous answer? In fact, some 1,300 unaccompanied refugee children are housed in Kent, and the local authorities and the voluntary agencies are under very significant pressure. May I push him a little as to whether, in the light of the somewhat unencouraging response from other local authorities, Her Majesty’s Government intend to do anything else to ensure a more effective national dispersal programme—given that we are talking not just about this moment, but about the likely 10 years that will be needed to get a young person from the point of arrival to full integration, with all the work in education, language and healthcare needed to go with that, and the considerable investment required? Some assurance would help my colleagues in Kent. Continue reading “Bishop of Rochester asks about unaccompanied refugee children”

Church of England Week in Westminster, 1st – 5th February 2016

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

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This week bishops in the House of Lords spoke to amendments on the Government’s Immigration Bill and in debates on education and renewable energy. Bishops also asked questions on extremism and offence, fixed odds betting terminals, Palestinian statehood and house building on floodplains.

In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered questions on the Queen’s 90th birthday, street pastors, ethical investments, women and BME clergy, credit unions, churches and community use and debt and poverty counselling.

 

Monday 1st February

BishSouthwarktaxcreditsThe Bishop of Norwich asked a question on Palestinian statehood.

The Bishop of Southwark spoke during the committee stage of the Government’s Immigration Bill.

 

Tuesday 2nd February

Bp Salisbury 2The Bishop of St Albans received a written answer to a question on fixed odds betting terminals.

The Bishop of Salisbury spoke and voted on a motion to annul Regulations on renewable energy feed in tariffs.

 

Wednesday 3rd February

Archbishop of CanterburyThe Archbishop of Canterbury asked an oral question on extremism and offence.

14.06.12 Bishop of NorwichThe Bishop of Norwich spoke to amendments on the Government’s Immigration Bill, on the welfare of children, asylum support cuts, unaccompanied young people and care leavers, and family reunion.

 

Thursday 4th February

The Bishop of St Albans received an answer to a question on building homes on floodplains.

Caroline SpelmanThe Second Church Estates Commissioner published a written answer to a question on church buildings and community use. She also answered questions in the House of Commons on the Queen’s 90th Birthday, street pastors, ethical investments and tax avoidance, women and BME clergy and credit unions.

The Bishop of Norwich spoke in a debate on education.

 

Friday 5th February

The Second Church Estates Commissioner published a written answer to a question on work with debt and poverty campaign groups in Blackburn diocese.

Written answer: Debt and poverty campaign groups, Blackburn diocese

Church CommissionersOn 5th February 2016 the Second Church Estates Commissioner Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, responded to a written question from Mark Hendrick MP:

Mr Mark Hendrick(Preston): To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, on how many occasions buildings or parts of buildings have been made available by the Diocese of Blackburn and churches within its boundaries to (a) Christians Against Poverty and (b) other organisations providing debt counselling and employment services or campaigning against poverty. Continue reading “Written answer: Debt and poverty campaign groups, Blackburn diocese”

Bishop of Norwich calls for RE to be included in the English Baccalaureate

On 4th February 2016 the House of Lords debated a motion from the Earl of Clancarty, “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that children receive a balanced and rounded education in schools; and what effect the English baccalaureate requirements will have in that regard.” The Bishop of Norwich spoke in the debate, highlighting the need for RE to be considered in the English Baccalaureate and the importance of overseas visits in providing rounded education.

14.06.12 Bishop of NorwichThe Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, like others, I am very grateful to the noble Earl for securing this short debate. The importance of this subject is out of all proportion to the length of our discussion.

I agree with so much that has been said but I shall concentrate on two specific issues. The first, noble Lords will not be surprised to hear, concerns the omission of religious education from the English baccalaureate. I realise that it is not the only omission—I would rather like art, music and much else to be there, too—but I believe that it is a serious mistake that is going to be deleterious to a rounded education. Continue reading “Bishop of Norwich calls for RE to be included in the English Baccalaureate”

Church Commissioner questions – Queen, street pastors, investments, women & BME clergy, credit unions

On 4th February 2016 MPs put questions to the Church Commissioners in the House of Commons.

Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, Second Church Estates Commissioner, was asked questions on the Queen’s 90th Birthday, street pastors, ethical investments and tax avoidance, women and BME clergy and credit unions. The transcript is below.

Spelman CCQs June 2015 4 Continue reading “Church Commissioner questions – Queen, street pastors, investments, women & BME clergy, credit unions”