Category: Bills

Legislation before Parliament

Higher Education and Research Bill: Bishop of Birmingham on cathedrals group of universities

birmingham-211016cOn 11th January 2017 the House of Lords considered the Government’s Higher Education and Research Bill in Committee. The Bishop of Birmingham, Rt Revd David Urquhart, introduced an amendment in the name of the Bishop of Portsmouth, on the need “to have a variety of institution types with distinctive characteristics.” The amendment was withdrawn after the debate, following assurances from the Minister that the issue would be looked at afresh. Below is his speech in full, and a section of the Minister’s reply:

The Lord the Bishop of Birmingham: My Lords, I regret that my friend the Bishop of Portsmouth is not in his place tonight, having been exhausted, I suppose, by leading the debate on the Armed Forces covenant on Monday. He has asked me to bring before your Lordships Amendment 58 which relates to the general duties of the Office for Students. This is in the context of warmly welcoming the Bill’s commitment to greater diversity and improved choices for students, both in the wider choice of the number of institutions and in course and subject. However, we believe it is vital also to have a variety of institution types with distinctive characteristics.

Continue reading “Higher Education and Research Bill: Bishop of Birmingham on cathedrals group of universities”

Digital Economy Bill: Bishop of Chester on proposed age verification measures for adult content

On 13th December 2016 the Government’s Digital Economy Bill was debated at its Second Reading in the House of Lords. The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Rev’d Peter Forster, contributed to the debate, focusing on issues in Part 3 of the Bill relating to online pornography and social media.

Votes: Policing and Crime Bill

On 12th December 2016 four bishops took part in three votes on amendments to the Government’s Policing and Crime Bill at its Report Stage in the House of Lords. Continue reading “Votes: Policing and Crime Bill”

Policing and Crime Bill: Bishop of Bristol sponsors amendment to regulate betting machines

Bristol160226 cOn 7th December 2016, the House of Lords considered the Government’s Policing and Crime Bill in Committee. The Bishop of Bristol co-sponsored an amendment on fixed-odds betting terminals. The amendment was withdrawn after the debate, following assurances from the Minister that the issue would be looked at in the forthcoming review.

The Lord Bishop of Bristol: My Lords, I will speak to Amendments 173C, 196A and 200A in my name and I support Amendment 173B, in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Beecham. I am grateful for the way in which he introduced this group of amendments.

Members of your Lordships’ House will be only too aware that the House has rehearsed the arguments around betting shops, and in particular fixed-odds betting terminals, numerous times in the past year, and there seems to be little need to repeat them here in detail. We know that violent crime is on the increase in betting premises—up 68% in London over the past five years—and it seems very likely that the increasing reliance of betting shops on FOBTs is a key reason for this trend. Continue reading “Policing and Crime Bill: Bishop of Bristol sponsors amendment to regulate betting machines”

Votes: Policing and Crime Bill

On 7th December 2016 two votes took place on Opposition amendments to the Government’s Policing and Crime Bill, in which two bishops took part. Continue reading “Votes: Policing and Crime Bill”

Higher Education and Research Bill: Bishop of Winchester on universities, providing “a public good for the common good”

On 6th December 2016, the Government’s Higher Education and Research Bill had its Second Reading in the House of Lords. The Bishop of Winchester and lead Church of England bishop for HE, the Rt Revd Tim Dakin, spoke during the debate on the Bill.

winchester171116The Lord Bishop of Winchester My Lords, I declare my interests as a visitor to five Oxford colleges and the governor of Winchester University. I thank both the Minister for Universities and Science and the noble Viscount, Lord Younger, for meeting me to discuss some of the core issues concerning the Bill. I say, too, that I look forward to hearing the maiden speech of the noble Baroness, Lady Sugg.

The positive aim of this Bill is clear: to enhance our world-class higher education system. In particular, I welcome the potential of proposed changes: putting students at the heart of the system through the Office for Students; emphasising the importance of good teaching; encouraging new providers and innovation; and a more interdisciplinary approach to research. It is also encouraging to hear that the Government are listening to concerns and are willing to amend the regulatory framework to take account of points raised. Continue reading “Higher Education and Research Bill: Bishop of Winchester on universities, providing “a public good for the common good””

Votes: Policing and Crime Bill 2016

On 30th November 2016 the House of Lords voted on two amendments to the Government’s Policing and Crime Bill. The Bishop of Chester, Rt Revd Peter Forster, took part. Continue reading “Votes: Policing and Crime Bill 2016”

Bishop of Winchester welcomes Bill on aid target reporting

On 18th November 2016 the House of Lords considered the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) (Amendment) Bill [HL] at its Second Reading. This is a Private Member’s Bill tabled by Labour Peer Lord Lipsey. The Bishop of Winchester, Rt Revd Tim Dakin, spoke in the debate. Continue reading “Bishop of Winchester welcomes Bill on aid target reporting”

Policing and Crime Bill: Bishop of Bristol sponsors amendment on child abduction

On 16th November 2016 the House of Lords considered the Government’s Policing and Crime Bill in Committee. The Bishop of Bristol co-sponsored an amendment to the Bill about the abduction of vulnerable children, which was moved in his absence by Labour’s Lord Kennedy. The amendment was withdrawn after the debate.

Continue reading “Policing and Crime Bill: Bishop of Bristol sponsors amendment on child abduction”

Policing and Crime Bill: Bishops propose tougher regulations on fixed-odds betting terminals

 

Bp Salisbury 2On 9th November 2016, the House of Lords considered the Government’s Policing and Crime Bill at its Committee Stage. An amendment tabled by the Bishop of St Albans was debated that would allow local authorities to regulate the number of fixed-odds betting terminals in their areas. In the absence of the Bishop, Lord Beecham moved the amendment and the Bishop of Salisbury, Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, spoke in support:

The Lord Bishop of Salisbury My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Beecham, for moving the amendment. I stand in place of my colleague the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of St Albans, who is unable to be here today, in support of Amendment 214, which would grant new powers to local licensing authorities in regulating gaming machines on gambling premises. As the noble Lord, Lord Beecham, has already made clear, there is a strong case for measures that will help local authorities tackle gambling-related crime to be included in the Policing and Crime Bill. Continue reading “Policing and Crime Bill: Bishops propose tougher regulations on fixed-odds betting terminals”