Category: News

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 Following the debate on the amendment, it was withdrawn without being put to a division of the House.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”

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 human rights in the Republic of Sudan, the Infrastructure Bill, the Serious Crime Bill, the Assisted Dying Bill and spoke during tributes to the outgoing Leader of the House.

They have also put questions to the Government on Disabled Students’ Allowance, preventing child abuse, fuel poverty and the new government of India.

In the House of Commons, the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered questions on food banks, church and cathedral repairs, human trafficking, women bishops and pay, procurement and ICT in the Church Commissioners.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 14th – 18th July 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 Deregulation Bill and in response to the Government statement on child abuse cases.

They have also put questions to the Government on sexual violence and food security in South Sudan, legal aid and the political situation in Egypt.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 7th – 11th July 2014”

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

In the past week, Bishops in the House of Lords have spoken in debates on the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill and the rural economy.

They have also put questions to the Government on busking, the needs of dyslexics in higher education, National Voter Registration Day 2015, violence in the Middle East, sexual violence in Syria, protection of civilians in South Sudan, and the appointment of the next Bishop of Guildford.

In the House of Commons, the Second Church Estates Commissioner has answered a written question on the subject of apprentices and spoken about the role of Leicester Cathedral in commemorating King Richard III. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 30th June – 4th July 2014”

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

In the past week, bishops in the House of Lords have spoken in debate on the accountability of educational institutions, defibrillators in public spaces, the commemoration of the First World War, the role of the voluntary and charitable sector, women in the prison system, human rights in Egypt, the abuse of vulnerable children and adults and challenges faced by vulnerable women.

They have also put questions to the Government on the under-occupancy charge, off-grid energy supply, wage levels of women in the UK, apprenticeships and Iran.

In the House of Commons, the Second Church Estates Commissioner spoke about the teaching of British values.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 23 – 27 June 2014”

Church of England – Week in Westminster:16^th – 20^th June 2014

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

In the past week, bishops in the House of Lords have spoken on the Government’s Serious Crime Bill and Infrastructure Bill,   House of Lords reform, immigration removals, and the Middle East. They also received answers to written questions on financial education and climate change. In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered a written question on responses to parliamentary questions.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 16 – 20 June 2014”