Author: parliamentaryunit

Archbishop of Canterbury asks about financial support for Ukraine’s resistance to Russian invasion and for the UK armed forces

The Archbishop of Canterbury asked a question on financial support for those battling the Russian invasion of Ukraine and for the UK’s own armed forces on 5th December 2024:

The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, I have made two visits to Ukraine, one earlier this year, and many of my colleagues have visited as well. Having seen the very sharp deterioration in civilian morale, we know that external support from the NATO powers, particularly the United Kingdom, makes a significant difference. We are seeing the northern NATO countries not only giving verbal support but actively preparing for the risk of conflict in order to deter it. The situation on the ground will not wait for the SDR. What steps are the Government taking to indicate, by their actions as well as by their words, ahead of the SDR, that we are deeply committed financially to the support of Ukraine, not only by giving weapons but by renewing our Armed Forces?

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Bishop of London asks about leadership in heathcare

The Bishop of London asked a question on leadership and productivity in the healthcare service on 5th December 2024:

The Lord Bishop of London: My Lords, productivity is now often spoken of in relation to the National Health Service, which the Minister mentioned in his Answer to the Question. The Health Foundation looked at NHS productivity and identified maintaining morale and motivating the workforce as key to it. Alongside essential things such as targets, what effort are the Government making to continue softer leadership, including listening to the workforce and fostering good industrial relations?

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Bishop of Lincoln asks about rate of teaching turnover in special needs education

The Bishop of Lincoln received the following written answer on 4th December 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Lincoln asked His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address teacher burnout and turnover in special education schools due to low pay and temporary contracts.

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Bishop of London speaks in debate on the importance of fracture liaison services

The Bishop of London spoke in a debate on fracture liaison services on 4th December 2024, highlighting the importance of the service for vulnerable communities and as an early intervention:

The Lord Bishop of London: My Lords, it is very good to participate in this important debate on the fracture liaison service, especially since the issue of prevention in healthcare seems to be gathering pace. I thank the noble Lord, Lord Black, for having moved this debate.

We have heard that the fracture liaison service identifies people at risk of osteoporosis and reduces the risk of long-term fractures. Treatment provided by the fracture liaison service is often excellent, and often nurse-led. But, as we have heard, there are just not enough of them. Like many aspects of healthcare that we discuss in your Lordships’ House, provision varies by region, and there are also other inequalities of access to these services. We know that bone density decline can be accelerated by other factors, including smoking, diet and other illness.

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Bishop of Manchester asks about support for civil society organisations

The Bishop of Manchester asked a question on ongoing support for voluntary civil society organisations providing stress support for communities on 3rd December 2024, following a government statement on anti-social behaviour:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, I declare my interest as the co-chair of the national ethics committee of the National Police Chiefs’ Council. However, it is more in my role as Bishop of Manchester that I am speaking now. I get to go out from time to time at night with Street Angels or Street Pastors groups, as they are sometimes called. Many of these originated in the churches, but they are not exclusively church-based organisations. They provide gentle support on the streets, often late at night in city and town centres, helping to keep the peace. They help to deal with people who have become distressed—perhaps somebody who has had too much to drink and is either not safe themselves or cannot keep those around them safe.

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Bishop of London asks about safeguarding in asylum processing

On 3rd December 2024, the Bishop of London asked a question on safeguarding practices for enforced return of asylum seekers whose claims have been found ineligible:

The Lord Bishop of London: My Lords, I welcome the action that the Government are taking to get on top of the asylum backlog and to process claims formerly deemed as inadmissible. I appreciate, therefore, that more individuals may be found ineligible for asylum and may need to return. Therefore, are the Government going to review the current safeguarding policies in place for enforced return and, if so, how?

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Bishop of St Albans asks about gambling taxation

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 3rd December 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the current remote gaming duty levels on economic growth.

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Bishop of Norwich asks about impact of changes to agricultural property relief on farming families

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answer on 3rd December 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Budget’s changes to agricultural property relief from inheritance tax on the mental health of farming families who own small farms.

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Bishop of Hereford asks about food security

On 2nd December 2024, the Bishop of Hereford tabled a question on government steps to improve food security:

The Lord Bishop of Hereford: To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve food security.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab, DEFRA): My Lords, the Labour Government have committed £5 billion to the agricultural budget over the next two years, which is the biggest budget for sustainable food production and nature’s recovery in our history. The uplift to £1.8 billion, in 2025-26, for environmental land management schemes will boost food security and accelerate the transition to a more resilient and sustainable farming sector. We are also investing £60 million to support farmers who were affected by the unprecedented extreme wet weather last winter.

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Bishop of London asks about community consultation on NHS 10 year plan:

On 2nd December 2024, the Bishop of London tabled a question on community consultation on the NHS 10 Year Plan, and efforts to ensure the consultation reaches those who have least interaction with the health service

The Lord Bishop of London: To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure the consultation for the NHS 10 Year Plan reaches all communities, including those who have least interaction with the health service.

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