News about bishops and the church in Parliament. Opinion and comment pieces by Lords Spiritual on parliamentary / political issues.
Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.
This week bishops in the House of Lords spoke about the terrorist attacks in Paris, the Government’s Welfare Reform and Work Bill and on the role of trade unions in combating modern slavery. Questions were asked about restorative justice and the security of Camp Liberty in Iraq. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 16th-20th November 2015”
Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.
Before the House rose for its short November recess bishops spoke about bilateral trade between the UK and African nations and took part in a debate on the Government’s Bank of England Bill. Questions were asked about private sponsorship schemes for Syrian refugees and support for farmers with delayed rural payments. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 9th-13th November 2015”
Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.Westminster.
This week bishops led a debate on the impact of pornography on society and spoke on the need to support the steel industry. Bishops also asked questions on counter extremism, Universal Credit claimants, support payments to farmers, rural exceptions from the under-occupancy charge and support for interreligious and intercultural dialogue.
In the House of Commons, the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered questions from MPs on women bishops, funeral poverty, the tribunal case of Jeremy Pemberton, the Church’s carbon footprint and a memorial day for civilian casualties of the Second World War. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 2nd-6th November 2015”
Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.
This week, Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, the Bishop of Gloucester, was introduced to the House of Lords. Bishops spoke and voted on Government proposals for tax credits, support for credit unions, young people in the criminal justice system and help for those seeking refuge from Syria. Bishops also asked questions on Syrian refugees, Saudi Arabia and benefit fraud. In the House of Commons, Second Church Estates Commissioner answered questions on church support for credit unions land for housing development. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 26th-30th October 2015”
On Monday 26th October 2015 the Bishop of Gloucester, Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, was introduced to the House of Lords by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London.
The first female bishop to take her seat in the Lords under the terms of the 2015 Lords Spiritual (Women) Act, her introduction was met with applause by those present. Pictures of the introduction are below and a video of the short ceremony can be viewed here.
Continue reading “In pictures: Introduction of the Bishop of Gloucester”
Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.
This week, bishops in the House of Lords spoke on the bishops’ letter to the prime minister on refugees, the role of church schools, Article 18 religious freedom, end of life care, armed forces reservists and prostitution. Questions were put to Government on the minimum wage, benefits, young people’s mental health, steel plant job losses and gangmasters licensing. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 19th-23rd October 2015”
Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.
This week, bishops in the House of Lords spoke on apprenticeships, the EU referendum, child trafficking and air pollution. A bishop also led a debate on rural housing and right to buy. Questions were put to Government on benefit fraud and short term benefit advances, and human rights in Saudi Arabia. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 12th-16th October 2015”
Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.
Although Parliament is in recess this week, bishops in the House of Lords have received written answers to questions tabled on aid and civilian protection in Syria and Iraq, attacks on church property in Israel and the Government’s plans for an independent investigation into Sharia law. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 21st-25th September 2015”
Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.
This week bishops in the House of Lords spoke in debates about Lords reform, defence capability, High Speed 2, humanitarian developments in the Middle East and North Africa, protection for dairy farmers and the sustainable development goals. They also asked questions on tax credit cuts, the UK food supply, dairy farmers, migration in Europe, Sunday trading and rural-urban classification.
In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered questions on gravestones and monuments.
Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 14th-18th September 2015”
Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.
In the first week back after the summer recess the bishops in the House of Lords spoke about child exploitation, debt management, civil partnerships, child mental health and benefit sanctions.
In the House of Commons Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, spoke in the debate on the Assisted Dying Bill and answered questions on metal theft, open churches, climate change and food banks.
Both Caroline Spelman and the Bishop of Peterborough joined other Members of Parliament in paying tribute to the Queen upon becoming the longest reigning monarch. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 7th-11th September 2015”
The Church of England in Parliament 
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