Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Church Commissioners Written Questions: Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

On 18th December 2025, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha de Cordova MP, gave the following written answer to a question from an MP:

Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

Mr Wil Forster MP (LD, Woking): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the end of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme on (a) Christ Church in Woking and (b) other community services run by Churches.

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Bishop of Derby asks about women and girls in the tech field

The Bishop of Derby asked a question on ensuring pathways for women and girls to pursue careers in the tech field on 18th December 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I warmly welcome the recent launch of the Women in Tech Taskforce and commend this Government on recognising the important contribution that women and girls make to the technology sector in particular. What steps are being taken to ensure that the TechYouth programme, part of the wider TechFirst programme, opens pathways to support and encourages young women and girls in further education and vocational training who are interested in pursuing apprenticeships and careers in this field?

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Bishop of Derby asks about role of faith based philanthropy in social impact

The Bishop of Derby asked a question on engagement with faith-based charities and social organisations during a discussion on the new Office for the Impact Economy on 17th December 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I am pleased to endorse the Government’s intentional investment in social impact, but may I ask the Minister how the new Office for the Impact Economy plans specifically to engage with faith-based organisations and faith-motivated individuals, including—but not exclusively—from the Christian community, to optimise the reach for common good of such faith-driven philanthropy?

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Church Commissioners Written Questions: LGBTQ+ Clergy

On 17th December 2025, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following written answer to a question from an MP:

Clergy: LGBTQ+ People

Cat Smith MP (Lab, Lancaster and Wyre): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church is taking to support (a) LGBTQ+ clergy and (b) people considering entering ministry.

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Bishop of Derby asks about preventing drug and alcohol addiction in young people

The Bishop of Derby asked a question on early intervention for young people towards preventing alcoholism and drug addiction, and funding for local councils to deliver this intervention on 16th December 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I welcome the continued investment of £185 million allocated to the rough sleeping drug and alcohol treatment programme from 2026 to 2029. But what progress has been made towards this Government’s safer streets and opportunity missions to improve support and early intervention, particularly for children and young people who are struggling with the dual crises of substance abuse and experiencing homelessness? Is this work one of the factors being used to determine which additional councils will receive this new funding?

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Bishop of Norwich asks about extension of oil and gas extraction in the North Sea

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answer on 16th December 2025:

The Bishop of Norwich: To ask His Majesty’s Government how the proposed extension of existing gas and oil drilling in the North Sea aligns with calls arising from the Global Stocktake to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels, as recommended by the Climate Change Committee.

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Bishop of Derby asks about AI implementation standards for government and local authorities

The Bishop of Derby asked a question on maintaining high ethical standards for AI implementation by government and local authorities on 15th December 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, impressive work is already under way to drive technological innovation across local and regional government. Derby City Council was the first in the UK to introduce phone assistants powered by generative AI—they are called Darcie, Ali and Perrie; do come and ask me why they have those names if you want to know—to streamline call centre interactions with residents. I declare my interest as Bishop of Derby and a member of the Derby City Partnership board. How will the Minister’s department learn from best practice and pilot initiatives across local and regional government to ensure that AI implementation maintains inclusivity and high ethical standards in all sectors?

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Bishop of Manchester asks about UK Crisis and Resilience Fund

The Bishop of Manchester received the following written answer on 12th December 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester asked His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the Crisis and Resilience Fund will help local authorities to address the causes of financial crisis instead of the symptoms.

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Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about role of historic churches in urban renewal

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked a question on revitalisation of historic city centre churches during a discussion on urban renewal on 11th December 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham: My Lords, has the Minister considered the significance of historic church buildings in city centre revitalisation? In my diocese, for instance, the recent renewal of St Mary Magdalene Church in Newark has not only repaired the grade 1 listed building but significantly developed the town’s cultural and economic vitality. There is uncertainty about the future scheme for VAT relief for listed churches, and the cap introduced last year affected long-planned projects around the country. What assessment have His Majesty’s Government made of the impact of that and of continuing the scheme beyond March next year without the cap?

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Bishop of Norwich asks about environmental concerns on flooding and marshland

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answers on 12th December 2025:

The Bishop of Norwich asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have for legislation to make it mandatory for insurance companies to provide flood cover at an affordable and fair price, to supersede the temporary Flood Re scheme.

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