Category: News

News about bishops and the church in Parliament. Opinion and comment pieces by Lords Spiritual on parliamentary / political issues.

Bishops show support for Refugees (Family Reunion) Bill

The following letter, in support of Baroness Hamwee’s Refugees (Family Reunion) Bill signed by eight bishops, seven of whom are Lords Spiritual, appeared in The Times newspaper on 15th December 2017.

REFUGEE REFORM BILL

Sir, Britain is one of the few countries in Europe that does not allow refugee children who arrive alone in the UK to bring a parent here. This is the most glaring example of overly restrictive rules that deny many refugees the chance to live with their family. Today Baroness Hamwee will sponsor the Refugee Families Reunion Bill in the House of Lords, which would allow a wider range of family members to be reunited with refugees living in the UK. Continue reading “Bishops show support for Refugees (Family Reunion) Bill”

Week in Westminster, 4th-8th December 2017

This week in the House of Lords the Archbishop of Canterbury led a debate on education, in which three other bishops spoke about schools, early years, further education and skills. Bishops also spoke in debates on the Autumn Budget Statement and in response to Government statements on Zimbabwe, the Social Mobility Commission, and terrorism. They asked questions about social housing in rural areas, and rough sleeping. In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered questions from MPs on her bill to enable mother’s to have equal status on marriage certificates, and on religious minorities in Egypt.  Continue reading “Week in Westminster, 4th-8th December 2017”

Week in Westminster, 27th-30th November 2017

This week in the House of Lords bishops spoke in debates on lifelong learning and improving mental health services for people from black and ethnic minority communities, and asked questions about Donald Trump’s sharing of  material about Islam, domestic violence, mental health, waste reduction and interpretation services. In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered a question on religious freedom. Continue reading “Week in Westminster, 27th-30th November 2017”

Week in Westminster, 20th-24th November 2017

This week in the House of Lords bishops  spoke in a debate on defence and peacebuilding, and asked questions about religious freedom and the Commonwealth summit, universal Credit, Brexit, food banks, Israel, and schools. The Bishop of Birmingham issued a response to the Autumn Budget statement. The former Bishop of London, Rt Revd Lord Chartres, was introduced to the House as a life peer and took his seat on the crossbenches. Continue reading “Week in Westminster, 20th-24th November 2017”

Autumn Budget 2017 – response from Bishop of Birmingham

Press release from the Church of England website:

Responding today (22nd November 2017) to the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget Statement, the Bishop of Birmingham, Rt. Revd David Urquhart, Convenor of the Lords Spiritual, said:

“The Chancellor’s Budget has gone some way to deal with the immediate problems facing our economy, housing and NHS, but it could have gone much further to help the many at the sharp end struggling to get by.

“Across the country churches support and are in touch with those who experience poverty or financial difficulty as a result of low pay, illness, or debt. The Budget statement provided an opportunity to make a difference to the lives of the most disadvantaged at a time when the cost of living is rising. The country faces substantial financial challenges and the growth forecast downgrades are worrying. But whilst the Chancellor has limited room for manoeuvre, there is more that could have been done to alleviate the situation of those who are struggling to manage. Deficit reduction is important, but should be achieved in ways that promote fairness, generosity, and sustainability. Bishops frequently raise these issues in the House of Lords and in meetings with ministers, and will continue to do so. Continue reading “Autumn Budget 2017 – response from Bishop of Birmingham”

Introduction of Lord Chartres

On Tuesday 21 November 2017 at 2.38 pm the right reverend and right honourable Richard John Carew Chartres, KCVO, lately Bishop of London, was introduced and took the oath, supported by Baroness O’Neill of Bengarve and Lord Luce, and signed an undertaking to abide by the Code of Conduct.

Lord Chartres will sit as an independent Crossbench Peer.

Continue reading “Introduction of Lord Chartres”

Week in Westminster, 13th-17th November 2017

This week in the House of Lords bishops led debates on rising household debt and the freeze on benefits and spoke in other debates on universal credit and education funding. They asked questions about Zimbabwe, new housing, freedom of religion and belief, Saudi Arabia, human rights, and cathedrals. Continue reading “Week in Westminster, 13th-17th November 2017”

Week in Westminster, 6th-8th November 2017

Parliament sat for two days this week, before rising for the short November recess. In the House of Lords bishops spoke in a debate on children and the internet, and asked a question about technical education in the North East. In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered a question about the anniversary of the Five Articles of Perth. Continue reading “Week in Westminster, 6th-8th November 2017”

Week in Westminster, 30th October – 3rd November 2017

This week in the House of Lords bishops spoke in debates on strengthening families and in response to Government plans on betting terminals. They asked questions about poverty, NHS charging, benefits freezes, universal credit, children’s and workplace mental health support, welfare of those in police care, and metal theft from churches. Bishops also voted on amendments to the Government’s Financial Guidance and Claims Bill. In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered a question about church music and St. Sepulchre-without-Newgate Church. Continue reading “Week in Westminster, 30th October – 3rd November 2017”

Cut stake on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals to £2, Bishop of St Albans urges Government

Press release, from the Church of England website:

The Bishop of St Albans, Dr Alan Smith, has responded to the Government’s announcement today of The Triennial Review of Stakes and Prizes.

He said: “The Triennial Review of Stakes and Prizes has proposed a range of possible stakes for fixed-odds betting terminals. While a reduction in stakes is welcome, any stake higher than £2 does not go far enough to address the harm these machines cause to families and communities around the UK. Continue reading “Cut stake on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals to £2, Bishop of St Albans urges Government”