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

This week, bishops in the House of Lords took part in debates on the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill, accident and emergency services, chancel repair liability, maternal and neonatal mortality, and the Assisted Dying Bill. They also asked questions on forced marriage, affordable housing in rural communities, citizenship programmes, Egypt, prostitution, the Somerset Rivers Authority and UK milk production.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 12th-16th January 2015”

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

This week, bishops in the House of Lords took part in a debate on early years intervention and asked questions on climate change, Ukraine, FGM, air pollution and electricity imports. During prayers in the House, the Bishop of St Albans led Peers in a minute’s silence following the terrorist attacks in Paris. In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner welcomed  news that the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill will be debated by MPs on the 19th January. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 5th-9th January 2015”

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

This week, bishops in the House of Lords took part in debates on the Government’s Social Action, Responsibility & Heroism Bill and asked questions  on Higher Education, abortion and dog licensing. They also received written answers to questions on under-age marriage, violence against women, prostitution and drink-driving. In the House of Commons MPs congratulated Rev Libby Lane on her appointment as the new Bishop of Stockport. The Second Church Estates Commissioner also welcomed the introduction of the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill by Government, aimed at expediting the arrival of the first female diocesan bishops to the House of Lords.

Parliament has now risen for the Christmas recess and will return on 5th January (Lords on the 6th). Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 15th-19th December 2014”

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 the Childcare Payments Bill, the Modern Slavery Bill, economic leadership for cities, female genital mutilation, global development goals and the Cohabitation Rights Bill.

They also asked questions about British nationals abroad, domestic violence, child poverty, mesothelioma research funding, forced marriage and hunger in Britain.

Bishops also voted on amendments to the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, during the ping-pong stage of the Bill’s consideration.

In the House of Commons, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, the Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry MP, answered questions about  the maintenance of cathedrals, church repairs, bat damage in churches and general election hustings Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 8th – 12th December 2014”

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 the Modern Slavery Bill, the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill, the Autumn Statement and the role of soft power and non-military responses to conflict prevention, which was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

They also asked questions about South Sudan, Syria and Iran.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 1st – 5th December 2014”

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 the UK’s membership of the European Union, the Consumer Rights Bill and the role of religion and belief in British public life. They also took part in a division on the Government’s Consumer Rights Bill.

They also asked questions about Universal Credit, the Work Capability Assessment,  domestic abuse, South Sudan and energy prices.

In the House of Commons, the Second Church Estates Commissioner asked a question about funding for cathedrals.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 24th – 28th November 2014”