Author: parliamentaryunit

Bishop of St Albans asks Government to step up humanitarian aid in Tikrit

On 10th March 2015 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Rev Alan Smith, asked a question in the House of Lords on humanitarian assistance for the people of Tikrit, Iraq. He followed it with a supplementary question to the Minister. Those exchanges, along with a transcript of all subsequent questions on the same by Peers, are below. 

Bishop of St AlbansThe Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the statement by the United Nations that 28,000 civilians have been displaced from the city of Tikrit by the actions of Islamic State, what plans they have to increase the provision of humanitarian aid to the conflict area. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government to step up humanitarian aid in Tikrit”

Bishop of Leicester asks about personal independence payments for 16 and 17 year olds

On 10th March 2015 Lord Touhig asked Her Majesty’s Government “how many people are awaiting assessment for personal independence payments?” The Bishop of Leicester, Rt Rev Tim Stevens, asked a supplementary question.Leicester

The Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, can the Minister tell us how many 16 and 17 year-olds are awaiting reassessment? What action do the Government propose to take to meet the additional needs of that group, including providing support for them through the reassessment process?

Lord Freud: I will have to write to the right reverend Prelate on that matter. I do not have the data on 16 and 17 year-olds so I shall write to him.

(via Parliament.uk)

Bishop of St Albans- Company Pay and Homelessness (Written Answers)

On Monday 9th March 2015, the Lord Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received  answers to two written questions on (i) company pay differentials, and (ii) the impact of relationship breakdown on homelessness.

Bishop of St AlbansThe Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to requiring all listed companies to report annually on the ratio between the pay of chief executives and the median pay of workers in that company.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans- Company Pay and Homelessness (Written Answers)”

Church of England Week in Westminster, 2nd – 6th March 2015

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

Westminster-abbeyThis week, bishops in the House of Lords took part in debates on the Modern Slavery Bill, Economic empowerment of women, Two State Solution, refuges for victims of domestic abuse and the new single use carrier bag charges

The bishops also asked questions on protecting academy schools funding, preventing destabilisation of South Sudan. They also received written answers to questions on the Somerset Rivers Authority and homelessness

Bishops took part in divisions on Modern Slavery Bill.

In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner, the Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry submitted a written answer on behalf of the Church Commissioners on the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 2nd – 6th March 2015”

Church Commissioner Question – Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund (Written Answer)

On the Friday 6th March the Second Church Estates Commissioner, the Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry, answered a written question from the conservative MP James Gray on the subject of the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund.

Continue reading “Church Commissioner Question – Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund (Written Answer)”

Bishop of Derby challenges Government over provision of refuges for victims of domestic abuse

Bishop of DerbyThe Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Alastair Redfern spoke in a debate about protecting victims of domestic and mental abuse. The Bishop highlighted the need to create safe spaces for victims and mentioned work undertaken by Refuge in the Diocese of Derby. The importance of partnerships between faith and voluntary groups to support victims of abuse was highly significant and need to be place alongside the statutory services to make the provision as stable and effective as possible.

Lord Ashton responded to the debate for the Government and addressed a number of the Bishops remarks. His comments can be found below.

Continue reading “Bishop of Derby challenges Government over provision of refuges for victims of domestic abuse”

Bishop of Southwark speaks about Israel & Palestine and the Two State Solution

Southwark 2The Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun spoke in a short debate about the Israel Palesine two state solution. Bishop Christopher spoke of the importance to maintain freedom of religion across the region and some of the issues he had seen with the building of the ‘peace and security wall’ following a recent visit to the region.

Baroness Anelay  responded to the debate for the Government and addressed a number of the bishops points. Her comments can be found below.

Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark speaks about Israel & Palestine and the Two State Solution”

Bishop of Derby speaks about the Importance of Women’s Economic Empowerment

DerbyOn 5th March 2015 the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Alastair Redfern, spoke in a debate to mark International Women’s Day, entitled ‘this House takes note of women’s economic empowerment and the progress in achieving it that has been made in the United Kingdom and internationally.’

The Bishop spoke about the importance of increasing workplace diversity in the UK, as well as the work of Christian Aid in empowering women overseas, alongside the need to challenge the myth that women taking jobs will displace men.

Baroness Garden responded for the Government and addressed a number of the points raised by the Bishop. Her comments can also be found below.

 

The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I rise with some trepidation to be the first man to speak in this debate, particularly having been gently chided by the noble Baroness, Lady Bottomley, about wearing a dress. Still, perhaps that is suitable bridging attire at this moment in the debate. I am also very conscious that the church could be seen to be behind the curve on this issue, as has been mentioned, and I hope that noble Lords can see that we are trying very hard to catch up and make proper progress. I want to do three things in this short address. I want to take up the theme that the noble Baronesses have talked about, the international perspective; look at some issues in the UK; and say what we might learn in terms of policy priorities.

Continue reading “Bishop of Derby speaks about the Importance of Women’s Economic Empowerment”

Divisions – Modern Slavery Bill

On 4th March 2015, three bishops took part in a division on the Government’s Modern Slavery Bill, relating to giving the powers to the Secretary of State to appoint a body which could maintain a website enabling greater business supply chain transparency. 

House of Lords Division Lobby
House of Lords Division Lobby

Continue reading “Divisions – Modern Slavery Bill”

Bishop of Derby speaks during the third reading of the Modern Slavery Bill

DerbyThe Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Alastair Redfern spoke during two amendments during the third reading of the Modern Slavery Bill. The Bishop co-sponsored an amendment to give the Secretary of State the power to appoint a body to maintain a website which would enable businesses to be accountable to their investors, their consumers and their shareholders. This amendment did not pass. Bishop Alastair also supported the government amendment to improve the Gang Masters Licensing Authority. This amendment was agreed by the House. The Bill will now go to the House of Commons for consideration.

Continue reading “Bishop of Derby speaks during the third reading of the Modern Slavery Bill”