Questions – The Church of England in Parliament

Archbishop of Canterbury asks about effects of AI generation on public confidence in vaccines

The Archbishop of Canterbury asked a question on the effects of AI generation on public confidence in vaccines on 9th July 2026:

The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, we know that public confidence in vaccines is essential if there is to be good uptake and if they are to be effective. What are the Government planning to do to ensure that there is public confidence in AI-generated vaccines, and have they considered involving community and faith groups in this? Those are key to ensuring public confidence in this area.

Church Commissioners Written Questions: Church Commissioners Land

On 9th July 2026, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following written answer to a question from an MP:

Church Commissioners: Land

Mr Luke Charters MP (Lab, York Outer): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what consultation the Church Commissioners carried out with tenant farmers and local communities before deciding to market land east of York for sale.

Bishop of Chelmsford asks about funding for rural housing schemes

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 9th July 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government what proportion of the first round of Strategic Partnership funding grants awarded under the £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme are for rural housing schemes.

Bishop of Chelmsford asks about conflict in Iran

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 9th July 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether Iran has contravened the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since the start of recent hostilities between USA and Israel and Iran.

Bishop of Winchester asks about safe refugee routes for religious minorities in Iran

On 8th July Bishop of Winchester asked a question on safe and legal routes for Iranian nationals seeking asylum, particularly religious minorities facing persecution:

The Lord Bishop of Winchester: My Lords, if I may broaden the scope of the Question, given that the recent conflict has not led to any evident improvement in the situation facing ordinary Iranians, what assessment have His Majesty’s Government made of the availability of safe and legal routes for Iranian nationals? I am thinking in particular of members of Iran’s persecuted and vulnerable religious minorities, including Christian converts, Bahá’ís, Sunni and Sufi Muslims.

Bishop of Sheffield asks about training for asylum application caseworkers

The Bishop of Sheffield received the following written answer on 8th July 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Sheffield asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the training available to asylum application caseworkers; and whether they plan to revise the guidance for them.

Bishop of Manchester asks about access to land owned by Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem

The Bishop of Manchester received the following written answer on 8th July 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester asked His Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel regarding reports concerning restrictions on access to land owned by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Silwan, Jerusalem.

Bishop of Winchester asks about impact of Indian legislation on charity

The Bishop of Winchester received the following written answer on 8th July 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Winchester asked His Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the Government of India regarding the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026, and in particular about the impact the Bill would have on poor and vulnerable citizens in India, and those who depend on charity from overseas.

Bishop of Winchester asks about therapeutic support for victims of historical forced adoption

The Bishop of Winchester responded to a government statement giving an apology for historical forced adoption on 7th July 2026, echoing the sentiments expressed and enquiring about financial support to increase capacity for therapeutic services for victims:

The Lord Bishop of Winchester: My Lords, I welcome the Prime Minister’s apology last week and thank the Lord Privy Seal for reading it with such empathy and compassion. The House will be aware, I am sure, that last month, Archbishop Sarah issued an apology for the Church of England’s involvement in these practices, and specifically for the pain, trauma and stigma experienced—and still carried—by many people as a result. She said what the Prime Minister also said in his apology: “The shame is ours, not yours”. Today, I add my voice to the apology to all people who experienced loss or received poor care in homes affiliated to the Church of England, whether mothers or adoptees. We are deeply sorry.

Bishop of Winchester asks abut safeguarding arts education

The Bishop of Winchester asked a question on the importance of safeguarding arts education at all levels during a discussion on the independent review of Arts Council England on 7th July 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Winchester: My Lords, I hope noble Lords will indulge me if I associate all the Lords spiritual with the remarks that have been made about Lord Mackay of Clashfern. He was indeed a man of great Christian faith, generous heart and broad sympathies, and we all pay tribute to him. I may be the only Member of the House who played him once at water polo, and it was a delightful experience.

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