Author: parliamentaryunit

Bishop of Truro leads debate on local welfare assistance for those in crisis

On 10th February 2015, the Bishop of Truro, Rt Rev Tim Thornton, led a debate in the House of Lords on local welfare assistance schemes and help for those in crisis. The full text of his speech is below, followed by those of Peers who participated. The Bishop of Portsmouth, Rt Rev Christopher Foster, also spoke in the debate towards the end.

Welfare Assistance Schemes

Question for Short Debate

7.30 pm

Asked by The Lord Bishop of Truro

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that local welfare assistance schemes provide effective support to people in crisis and will continue to be able to do so.Bishop of Truro 20.6.13

The Lord Bishop of Truro: My Lords, I am very grateful indeed for this opportunity to raise a very important issue by putting some questions to the Government on, and raising matters relating to, local welfare assistance schemes. In doing so, I declare my interest that I am chair of the Children’s Society, a national charity which has conducted quite a lot of research in this area and to which I shall refer. Continue reading “Bishop of Truro leads debate on local welfare assistance for those in crisis”

Recall of MPs Bill – Division

On 10th February 2015, three bishops took part in a division on the Recall of MPs Bill, during the bill’s Report Stage:

House of Lords Division Lobby
House of Lords Division Lobby

Amendment 1

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town moved amendment 1, in clause 1, page 1, line 10, at end to insert: “( ) In this Act the signing of a recall petition constitutes a public act and the information of each person who signs a recall petition will be accessible in a marked electoral register, if requested.” Continue reading “Recall of MPs Bill – Division”

Bishop of Worcester calls for greater communication over local welfare assistance schemes

On 10th February 2015, Baroness Lister of Burtersett asked Her Majesty’s Government what has been the response to their consultation on the future financing of local welfare assistance schemes. The Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Revd John Inge, asked a supplementary question:

WorcesterThe Lord Bishop of Worcester: My Lords, the Minister might be aware that the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Truro has secured a debate on this issue this evening, which I welcome. In the mean time, in the absence of ring-fencing, will the Minister undertake to write to local authorities to highlight the £129 million allocation for local welfare provisions within the local government settlement, and the additional £74 million to which reference has been made, to ensure that local authorities have the resources they need to assist those most in need, and to encourage them to use them?
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: In response to the right reverend Prelate, as I said earlier, I am of course aware of the debate and look forward to that later today. It is for local authorities to set their priorities, and we have been responding directly to local authorities; it was part of the consultation after the initial settlement. I myself met with several local authorities. The issue of welfare provision was high on their list, and the Government have responded accordingly.
(via Parliament.uk)

Recall of MPs Bill – Bishop of Chester speaks on amendments

 On 10th February 2015 the Bishop of Chester, Rt Rev Peter Forster, spoke during the Lords deliberation of an amendment to the Recall of MPs Bill concerning conditions for commencing the recall process. The amendment, in the name of Lord Tyler, was withdrawn following the debate. His comments are below and can be seen in context on the UK Parliament website, here.

14.03 Bishop of ChesterThe Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, I will speak briefly on this. I think that it is a mistake to play off these conditions against each other, as if you were to ditch one and get a quid pro quo strength in another. Continue reading “Recall of MPs Bill – Bishop of Chester speaks on amendments”

St Albans- Support for Vulnerable Defendants (Written Answer)

On 10th February 2015, the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, received an answer to a written question on the subject of support for vulnerable defendants in the criminal justice system.

Bishop of St AlbansThe Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that support is made available for vulnerable defendants by registered intermediaries in the criminal justice system, as currently is the case for vulnerable witnesses.

Continue reading “St Albans- Support for Vulnerable Defendants (Written Answer)”

Introduction of the Bishop of Salisbury

On 9th February 2015 the Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury, was Introduced to the House of Lords and took his seat.

From Hansard:

2.37 pm

Nicholas Roderick, Lord Bishop of Salisbury, was introduced and took the oath, supported by the Bishop of Worcester and the Bishop of Portsmouth, and signed an undertaking to abide by the Code of Conduct.

 

Church Commissioner Question – Church Repair and Maintainance (Written Answer)

On 9th February 2015, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, the Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry, answered a written question from Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George, on the subject of chancel repair liability.

Tony Baldry MPAndrew George (St Ives): To ask the right hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2015 to Question 222329, how many (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful claims have been made by parochial church councils in court against lay rectors for recovery of chancel repair liability from 1 January 1985; and what amount was recovered. [223121]

The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Sir Tony Baldry): I refer to the answer I gave to Written Question 222328. Each Parochial Church Council is an independent legal entity and no central record is kept relating to the number of claims made against lay rectors for the recovery of chancel repair liability as this is dealt with at a local parish level. The Church Commissioners are only aware of the case where the Parochial Church Council of Aston Cantlow and Wilmcote with Billesley was awarded £187,000 plus VAT.

(via Parliament.uk)

Church of England Week in Westminster, 2nd – 6th February 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 growth of small businesses, universal credit and the Pension Schemes Bill. They also asked questions on the criminalisation of the purchase of sex, credit unions, social security benefits, ebola and responded to a Government Statement on the Independent Panel Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

Bishops took part in divisions on the Government’s Deregulation Bill.

The Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines, was introduced as a member of the House of Lords.

In the House of Commons, the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered a written question on the consecration of bishops in the Church of England. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 2nd – 6th February 2015”

Deregulation Bill – Divisons

On 3rd and 5th February 2015, three bishops took part in divisions on the Government’s Deregulation Bill, during its Report Stage.

House of Lords Division Lobby
House of Lords Division Lobby

Continue reading “Deregulation Bill – Divisons”

Archbishop of York speaks in debate on Pension Schemes Bill

On 5th February 2015, the Archbishop of York, the Most Revd and Rt Hon John Sentamu, spoke during the Third Reading of the Government’s Pension Schemes Bill. He spoke in favour of an amendment relating to the provision of pension guidance. Following assurances from the Minister, the amendment was withdrawn. 

Archbishop of YorkThe Archbishop of York: My Lords, if the Minister is assuring us that there will be information online and people will be able to understand everything, why cannot this amendment be put on the statute book so that there is a duty on the Treasury to inform people about this issue? For me the provision is so simply worded that I do not understand why it cannot be on the statute book. Continue reading “Archbishop of York speaks in debate on Pension Schemes Bill”