Author: parliamentaryunit

Bishop of St Albans speaks in support of stronger measures to protect children from drug dealers

On 30th June 2015 the House of Lords considered amendments to the Government’s Psychoactive Substances Bill. The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith,  spoke in support of an amendment from Lord Kirkwood, co-sponsored by the Bishop of Bristol. The amendment sought to make the supply of psychoactive substances to children under the age of 18, or in the vicinity of premises where vulnerable children reside, an aggravating factor of an offence. The amendment was withdrawn after the debate, with the Minister, Lord Bates, promising to meet with the Bishop to discuss it further.

Bishop St Albans June 2015The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, my colleague the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Bristol is very sorry that he cannot be here, but I have spoken to him and am keen to add a few words of support for these amendments. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans speaks in support of stronger measures to protect children from drug dealers”

Bishop of Salisbury asks Government about commitment to climate finance over next five years

On 30th June 2015 the Bishop of Salisbury, Rt Revd Nick Holtam, received a written answer to a question on the Government’s future climate finance plans.

SalisburyThe Lord Bishop of Salisbury: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to address the issue of climate finance at the forthcoming United Nations Climate Change conference in Paris; and whether they plan to commit the United Kingdom to budgeting for climate finance arrangements up to 2020. [HL656] Continue reading “Bishop of Salisbury asks Government about commitment to climate finance over next five years”

Tunisia terror attacks – Bishop of St Albans calls for community relations to be strengthened at home

On 29th June 2015 the House of Lords heard the Leader of the House repeat a statement by the Prime Minister on the terrorist attacks in Tunisia. In questions to the Leader after the statement, the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, focused on the need to strengthen community relations in the UK. 

Bishop of St AlbansThe Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, we, too, on these Benches send our sympathies to those who have been bereaved and those who are injured. It is deeply concerning that Tunisia, a relatively peaceful haven in a part of the world in which there are many tensions, has now had this attack. Does the Minister agree that it calls for a renewed emphasis on working to strengthen community relations here in this country? The danger is that the events from Tunisia, Kuwait, Kobani and France could inflame ethnic and other violence and inspire copycat attacks here in this country. Continue reading “Tunisia terror attacks – Bishop of St Albans calls for community relations to be strengthened at home”

Bishop of St Albans raises concerns of deaf people about cap on Access to Work fund

On 29th June 2015 Lord Touhig asked Her Majesty’s Government “what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the Access to Work fund and what plans they have to help people with disabilities into work.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a supplementary question about the impact on deaf people of the cap on Access to Work grants.

Bishop of St AlbansThe Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, perhaps I may press the Minister a little about the very real concerns of many people in the deaf community about the use of British Sign Language, not least because currently four-fifths of the highest-value awards are paying for BSL services. Indeed, the DWP’s own figures show that almost 90% of the users who will be affected by the cap that is to be brought in are deaf. How do the Government plan to continue to support and encourage deaf professionals on a par with the hearing community in the light of this cap? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans raises concerns of deaf people about cap on Access to Work fund”

Church Commsisioner land in Peterborough – written answer

On 29th June 2015 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, resoponded to a written question from Stewart Jackson MP about Commissioner land sites in Peterborough.
Continue reading “Church Commsisioner land in Peterborough – written answer”

Church of England Week in Westminster 22nd-26th June 2015

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

Westminster-abbeyThis week bishops in the House of Lords asked questions on the Lambeth Declaration on Climate Change, Christians in Iraq, palliative care chaplaincy, relationship support, social media, mental health, GPs and wind turbine subsidies. They also spoke about child hunger during school holidays and on the Government’s Psychoactive Substances Bill.

In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, spoke during a debate on the Government’s Education and Adoption Bill and answered questions on church buildings and solar power.
Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 22nd-26th June 2015”

Bishop of Durham tells Peers churches will be dealing with more children going hungry during school holidays

Bp Durham June 2015 bOn 25th June 2015 the Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, followed a Ministerial statement on child poverty by asking a question of Government about children going hungry during school holidays.

The Lord Bishop of Durham: Will the Minister recognise that across the country, churches and other organisations reckon that they will be providing more help for holiday hunger this summer than ever before because of children going hungry during school holidays? Will she also recognise that there is a serious problem regionally and that we need to tackle this in the north more significantly than in the south? Continue reading “Bishop of Durham tells Peers churches will be dealing with more children going hungry during school holidays”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about Christians in Iraq and freedom of religion or belief

13.10 Bishop of CoventryThe Lord Bishop of Coventry To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the long-term future of Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq; and what steps they are taking to assist Iraq’s religious minorities. [HL551] Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about Christians in Iraq and freedom of religion or belief”

Bishop of Bristol calls for training for prison staff in mental health awareness

On the 24th June Lord Patel asked Her Majesty’s Government “what steps they are taking to achieve parity of esteem between mental health and physical health in prisons.” The Bishop of Bristol, Rt Revd Mike Hill, asked a supplementary question about mental health awareness training.Bishop of Bristol June 2015

The Lord Bishop of Bristol: My Lords, given the complex needs of so many prisoners and the fact that those needs have to be addressed consistently, does the Minister agree with me that the risks associated with such prisoners could be greatly reduced were all operational staff in prisons given training on mental health awareness?

Continue reading “Bishop of Bristol calls for training for prison staff in mental health awareness”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about post-conflict and reconciliation work in Iraq

On 24th June 2015 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received two written answers on political reconciliation and post-conflict work in Iraq.


Bp Coventry May 2015The Lord Bishop of Coventry To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their most recent assessment of the steps taken by the government of Iraq to encourage political reconciliation and the move towards an inclusive framework of government in Iraq. [HL548] Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about post-conflict and reconciliation work in Iraq”