parliamentaryunit

Church Commissioners Written Questions: Archbishops Termination of Employment, Marriage, and Cemeteries

On 19th December 2024, Marsha De Cordova MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following written answers to questions from MPs:

Archbishops: Termination of Employment

Mr Richard Holden MP (Con, Basildon & Billericay): To ask the Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, whether the Church of England has a formal process for the removal of an Archbishop.

Bishop of St Albans asks about affordable rural housing

The Bishop of St Albans asked a question on affordable housing in rural areas on 18th December 2024, during a discussion on Permitted Development Rights (PDR):

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, can the Minister tell us what steps her department is taking to ensure that enough of the homes being built under the PDR are affordable for local people in rural areas?

Bishop of Chelmsford asks about changes to agricultural property relief

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 18th December 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government how many conversations the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs had with farming sector representatives about changes to agricultural property relief prior to the change being announced.

Bishop of St Albans asks about Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 18th December 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government:

what estimate they have made of the number of churches and cathedrals currently open for daily access that would be likely to be closed for daily public access due to their condition as a result of any withdrawal of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme in March 2025.
when they plan to announce the future of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

Bishop of Guildford asks about access to tuition for musicians

The Bishop of Guildford asked a question on access to tuition for musicians, especially those on a lower income, during a discussion on music and drama access in schools on 17th December 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Guildford: My Lords, as a young teenager, I was privileged to play in the National Youth Orchestra, a group which drew together musicians from a wide variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, many of whom have gone on to contribute substantially to the creative arts in the country. Given that music is being squeezed out across many parts of the state sector, what steps will the Government take to ensure that able musicians have access to the best possible quality tuition and opportunity, not least with specialist music schools, regardless of their ability to pay for it?

Bishop of St Albans asks about human rights in China

The Bishop of St Albans asked a question on human rights issues in Xinjiang, China on 17th December 2024, following a government statement on issues relating to UK national security and the Chinese state:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, we are all aware how complicated it is trying both to maintain our defence and security and to continue to trade. At the same time, there are some profound human rights issues going on. Reports have just emerged that the Chinese Government have demolished an important centre—the Rebiya Kadeer Trade Center—in Urumqi, Xinjiang. What representations have His Majesty’s Government made to support the people there, whom the other place has claimed have been subject to genocide?

Bishop of Gloucester asks about rural cost of living

The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answer on 17th December 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government further to the report Hidden Hardship, published by Dr Stephanie Denning of Coventry University in November 2023, what assessment they have made of the need (1) to tailor support provided through the welfare state for people experiencing rural hardship, and (2) to address the lack of affordable housing, public transport, and amenities in rural areas.

Bishop of St Albans asks about Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 17th December 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the potential withdrawal of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme on the ability of church buildings to host the 35,000 social action community projects operating in Anglican churches across England.

Bishop of Derby asks about girls health and wellbeing

The Bishop of Derby received the following written answer on 17th December 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Derby asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to extend the remit of the Minister for Women and Equalities specifically to include girls’ wellbeing.

Bishop of St Albans asks about Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 16th December 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what conversations they have had with heritage and faith communities about zero-rating VAT on repairs to listed buildings; and what assessment they have made of potential implications for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

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