Category: News

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

In the last week before Parliament rose for the summer recess, bishops in the House of Lords spoke in response to the Budget and on the Mediterranean migrant situation. They also asked questions on payday loan advertising, fixed odds betting terminals and the role of arts in education. Both the House of Commons and House of Lords will return in September.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 20th-24th July 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 religious freedom, the BBC, and shared British values. The Bishop of St Albans led a debate on sustainability of rural communities. Bishops also spoke and voted on the Government’s Psychoactive Substances Bill, the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill and on universal credit regulations and took part in debates on Private Member’s Bills on accessible sports grounds, online safety and a constitutional convention. The Bishop of Leicester, former Convenor of the Lords Spiritual, gave his final speech to the Lords before his retirement this summer. 

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 13th-17th July 2015”

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

This week bishops in the House of Lords spoke about Greece, Gaza, investigatory powers and the contribution of ethnic minorities to faith communities and public institutions. They also asked questions on Universal Credit, share ownership, Burma, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, palliative care and hospital chaplaincy.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 6th-10th July 2015”

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 response to the attacks in Tunisia, global challenges facing the UK and mental health care for children and young people. They also asked questions on funding to help deaf people find work, climate finance, the constitution and rural rail lines. Bishops also took part in debates in committee on the Government’s Psychoactive Substances Bill. In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered a written question about Commissioner land in Peterborough.
Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 29th June- 3rd July 2015”

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

This week bishops in the House of Lords asked questions on the Lambeth Declaration on Climate Change, Christians in Iraq, palliative care chaplaincy, relationship support, social media, mental health, GPs and wind turbine subsidies. They also spoke about child hunger during school holidays and on the Government’s Psychoactive Substances Bill.

In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, spoke during a debate on the Government’s Education and Adoption Bill and answered questions on church buildings and solar power.
Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 22nd-26th June 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 on the Government’s Childcare Bill, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the role of the armed forces, transport in the north of England and regulation of the polling industry. Bishops also asked questions on violence against women, fuel poverty, gaming machines and advertising aimed at children. In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, answered questions from MPs on church buildings, Christians in Iran, clergy wellbeing and the diversity of Synod.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 15th-19th June 2015”

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

This week bishops in the House of Lords led a debate on the House of Bishops’ Pastoral Letter for the 2015 General Election, spoke on the Government’s Cities & Local Government Devolution Bill and in a debate on empowering women in the developing world.  Bishops also asked questions on right to buy and religious freedom in Saudi Arabia. In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered written questions on female and LGBT clergy numbers, and asked a question about bats in churches. The Archbishop of Canterbury preached the sermon at the service to mark the opening of the new Parliament. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 8th -12th June 2015”

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

The State Opening of Parliament and the Queen’s Speech announcing the Government’s legislative proposals for the coming year took place on May 27th. The House of Lords debated the contents of the Gracious Speech over successive days, with several bishops taking part. Their speeches focused on international development, foreign affairs, children and families, education, the environment, housing, constitutional affairs and welfare reform. There were also two maiden speeches – from the Bishops of Leeds and Salisbury. Oral questions were also asked on apprenticeships and humanitarian aid.

In the House of Commons the newly appointed Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, answered her first written question, on the impact of bats in churches.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 28th May – 5th June 2015”