Author: parliamentaryunit

Bishop of Manchester highlights importance of clarity on definitions of terrorism

The Bishop of Manchester asked a question on definitions of terrorism on 29th January 2025, following a repeat of a Commons Urgent Question on the recent extremism review: 

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, I declare my interest as co-chair of the national police ethics committee. In your Lordships’ House next week, we will begin Committee on the very important Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill. Would the Minister agree that this is a time when we have to be absolutely clear what we mean by terrorism, so that we in this House can give that Bill the clear, in-depth scrutiny it requires?

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Bishop of Manchester asks about support for building energy efficient homes

The Bishop of Manchester asked a question on support for housing associations in building energy efficient homes on 29th January 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, I declare my interest as chair of a housing association. Housing associations are a key provider of homes for those who can least afford high energy bills. What support will there be for housing associations when they are bidding for grants to subsidise the properties they are building? It does cost that bit extra, maybe £5,000 or £6,000 per home, to build to the standards that we need to.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about use of unregulated epilepsy treatments

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 29th January 2025:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of parents illegally accessing cannabinoid epilepsy treatments for their children.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about rules around beaver reintroduction in the UK

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 29th January 2025:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government whether they have decided not to introduce a formal wild release licensing system for beavers, and if so, what assessment they have made of the implications for their climate change and sustainability strategies.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about status of refugees and asylum seekers in Thailand and Bangladesh

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 29th January 2025:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Thailand regarding Uyghur asylum seekers detained there.

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Votes: Data (Use and Access) Bill

On 28th January 2025, the House of Lords debated the Data (Use and Access) Bill at the report stage. A vote was held on amendments to the bill, in which a Bishop took part:

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Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich supports increase in defence spending

The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asked a question on raising public awareness of the need for funding of the armed forces on 28th January 2025:

The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich: My Lords, may I pick up a point raised by both the noble Baronesses on spending? I have always supported a considerable increase in spending on defence and share the frustration at the speed at which we are reaching it. My concern is that I am not sure the British public recognise that need. How are the Government proposing to raise awareness in a positive way that will support such an increase in spending?

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Bishop of St Albans asks about impact of beavers on the landscape recovery and flood management

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 28th January 2025:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of reintroducing beavers on landscape recovery and natural flood management.

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Bishop of Newcastle asks about financial viability of apprenticeships

The Bishop of Newcastle received the following written answer on 28th January 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle asked His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to make apprenticeships more financially viable for young people and their families.

Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab, DfE): I refer the noble Lord to the answer of 6 January 2025 to Question HL3616(opens in a new tab).

Hansard

Bishop of Lincoln raises risks to family farms and food security under new budget rules

On 27th January 2025, the Bishop of Lincoln spoke in a debate on the impact of removing agricultural property relief tax, increases to national insurance, and extension of VAT to private schools on the regions and nations of the UK, raising risks to family farms and food security:

The Lord Bishop of Lincoln: My Lords, it is entirely legitimate for the Government to target rich business owners and billionaires who have bought farmland for the sole purpose of avoiding inheritance tax, However, Jeremy Moody of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers said recently that the reform of APR

“hits the people it is supposed to protect, and protects those it is supposed to hit.

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