Category: News

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

This week bishops spoke in debates about the Modern Slavery Bill, the Azure Card and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. They also took part in divisions on the Government’s Consumer Rights Bill.

They also asked questions about the regulation of cold calling, the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, local authority welfare spending, the Istanbul Convention, adoption services and visa applications from the Commonwealth.

 

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 17th – 21st November 2014”

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

In the two sitting days before the House of Lords rose for the short November recess, bishops spoke in debates about carbon capture in the Government’s Infrastructure Bill and electoral registration in the Government’s Wales Bill. Bishops also took part in votes on both Bills. They also asked questions about the Living Wage and freedom of religion in Egypt. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 10th – 14th November 2014”

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

In the House of Lords over the past week, bishops have proposed amendments to the Assisted Dying Bill, supported amendments to the Government’s Consumer Rights Bill and Infrastructure Bill and spoken about women facing homelessness, domestic violence and social exclusion, and low-income and vulnerable consumers. Bishops have also asked questions about the Chilcot Inquiry, financial advisory services, Iraq, the Central African Republic, Workplace Capability Assessments, and Saudi Arabia.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminser, 3rd – 7th November 2014”

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

In the past week, the Second Church Estates Commissioner has answered questions in the House of Commons on the subjects of the ordination of women, extremism, episcopal vacancies and Church investments.

In the House of Lords bishops have supported amendments to the Government’s Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, Deregulation Bill and Serious Crime Bill and spoken about music education, devolution and the Scottish referendum, and slavery in supply chains. Bishops have also asked questions about the Green Climate Fund, the Troubled Families programme, blasphemy laws in Pakistan, Iraq, youth unemployment, Syria, Boko Haram and migrants and refugees.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 27th-31st October 2014”

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

In the past week, the Second Church Estates Commissioner has led the debate on the Church of England Measure for Women Bishops, which was passed by MPs and then went on to receive Royal Assent.

In the House of Lords bishops have supported amendments to the Government’s Criminal Justice and Courts Bill and Deregulation Bill and spoken about apprenticeships and further education. Bishops have also asked questions about free schools, freedom of religion in Iran and fuel costs. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 20th-25th October 2014”

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

In the past week, bishops in the House of Lords have led the debate on the Church of England Measure for Women Bishops, which was passed by Peers. They have also spoken in debates on the Government’s strategy for social justice, on wind farms and put questions on rented homes, ISIL in Iraq/Syria and the situation in Ukraine. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 13th-17th October 2014”

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

In the past week, bishops in the House of Lords have spoken in debates on the Government’s Armed Forces Bill, the role of the Leader of the House of Lords, the impact on wellbeing of the built environment and on the trade and human rights situation in Colombia.

They have also put questions to the Government about the living wage, the under-occupancy charge, implementation of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act and South Sudan.

The House of Lords rose for the summer recess on Wednesday 30th July. The Commons will return in September, the Lords in October. Weekly updates will resume after recess. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 28th July – 1st August 2014”

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

In the past week, bishops in the House of Lords have spoken in debates on the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, human rights abuses in North Korea and international religious freedom.

They have also put questions to the Government on events in Ukraine, oversight of schools in Birmingham and LGBT rights in Uganda.

 

Monday 21st July

MH17 and Gaza – Government Statement

A Government statement on the Ukraine (Shooting Down of MH17) and Gaza was repeated in the House of Lords by the Leader of the House, Baroness Stowell of Beeston. The Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, asked a supplementary question. The question, and the response from the minister, can be read here.

 

Criminal Justice & Courts Bill – Committee Stage

The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Peter Forster, spoke during the Committee Stage of the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill. He spoke in support of an amendment to make assault on workers selling alcohol a specific criminal offence. Following the debate on the amendment, it was withdrawn without being put to a division of the House. The Bishop’s remarks can be read here. 

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 21st-25th July 2014”