Category: Bills

Legislation before Parliament

Prayers at Council Meetings – Bishop of Leicester speaks in support of Bill in the Lords

On 13th March 2015 the House of Lords debated the Local Government (Religious etc. Observances) Bill, a Private Members’ Bill from Jake Berry MP, sponsored in the Lords by Lord Cormack.

The Bill, which has already completed its passage through the House of Commons, would “make provision about the inclusion at local authority meetings of observances that are, and about powers of local authorities in relation to events that to any extent are, religious or related to a religious or philosophical belief.” 

The Bishop of Leicester, Rt Rev Tim Stevens, spoke in support of the Bill during a debate on a series of amendments to it, tabled by opponents. The Bill passed through Committee unamended.

ThLeicestere Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, perhaps I should declare an interest, having just led the Prayers in this Chamber. Continue reading “Prayers at Council Meetings – Bishop of Leicester speaks in support of Bill in the Lords”

Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill completes passage through Parliament

On 12th March 2015 the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill completed its passage through Parliament, when it received an unopposed Third Reading in the House of Lords. Continue reading “Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill completes passage through Parliament”

Votes – Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill

On 11th March the Bishop of Leicester, Rt Rev Tim Stevens took part in three Divisions of the House on amendments to the Government’s Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill during its Report Stage in the Lords.

House of Lords Division Lobby
House of Lords Division Lobby

Divisions – Modern Slavery Bill

On 4th March 2015, three bishops took part in a division on the Government’s Modern Slavery Bill, relating to giving the powers to the Secretary of State to appoint a body which could maintain a website enabling greater business supply chain transparency. 

House of Lords Division Lobby
House of Lords Division Lobby

Continue reading “Divisions – Modern Slavery Bill”

Bishop of Derby speaks during the third reading of the Modern Slavery Bill

DerbyThe Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Alastair Redfern spoke during two amendments during the third reading of the Modern Slavery Bill. The Bishop co-sponsored an amendment to give the Secretary of State the power to appoint a body to maintain a website which would enable businesses to be accountable to their investors, their consumers and their shareholders. This amendment did not pass. Bishop Alastair also supported the government amendment to improve the Gang Masters Licensing Authority. This amendment was agreed by the House. The Bill will now go to the House of Commons for consideration.

Continue reading “Bishop of Derby speaks during the third reading of the Modern Slavery Bill”

Bishop of Chester welcomes the new single use carrier bags charges

14.03 Bishop of ChesterOn 4th March 2105, the Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Peter Forster spoke in a debate on the new Single Use Carrier Bags Charges Order. The Bishop spoke to support the Government in their plans to introduce a charge for single use carrier bags. Bishop Peter also asked why the Government did not propose to introduce a similar scheme to those which already existed in other parts of the UK. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Lord De Mauley responded for the Government during the debate and address the Bishop’s questions. The full reply can be found below.

Continue reading “Bishop of Chester welcomes the new single use carrier bags charges”

Divisions – International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill

On 26th February 2015, bishops took part in three divisions on the Government’s International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill, The Bill proposes to enshrine in Law the commitment to spend 0.7% of UK GDI on International Development. 

House of Lords Division Lobby
House of Lords Division Lobby

Continue reading “Divisions – International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill”

Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill – Lords Committee and Report Stages

On 26th February 2015 the House of Lords considered the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill in Committee. Continue reading “Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill – Lords Committee and Report Stages”

Divisions – Modern Slavery Bill

On 23rd and 25th February 2015, bishops took part in two divisions on the Government’s Modern Slavery Bill, relating to the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner and the protection of overseas domestic workers.

House of Lords Division Lobby
House of Lords Division Lobby

Continue reading “Divisions – Modern Slavery Bill”

Bishop of Derby leads call for stronger powers for agencies tackling modern slavery

On 25th February 2015, the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Alastair Redfern, tabled an amendment to the Government’s Modern Slavery Bill, during its Report Stage. The amendment sought to strengthen and improve the resources of enforcement agencies who may be required to deal with groups engaged in modern slavery and human trafficking. The amendment was withdrawn, following assurances from the Minister that the Government would bring forward its own proposals at Third Reading.

The Bishop also spoke in favour of a group of amendments to the Bill relating to the transparency of supply chains. 

Amendment 92 – Enforcement Agencies

DerbyThe Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I thank my colleagues, the noble Lord, Lord Alton, and the noble Baroness, Lady Kennedy, for their support for this amendment. I also place on record my thanks to the noble Lord, Lord Bates. With others, we have been extremely grateful for the patient and kind way he has listened to us, engaged with us and put on special meetings on various subjects. The point of this amendment is to highlight the fact that both the Government and many of us involved in this issue are learning a great deal as we go along. Therefore, there is a proper space for consultation, review and further learning to be done. Continue reading “Bishop of Derby leads call for stronger powers for agencies tackling modern slavery”