Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Chelmsford asks about ending the freeze in Local Housing Allowance

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 12th December 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the potential benefits of ending the freeze in Local Housing Allowance rates before April 2024.

Viscount Younger of Leckie (Con, DWP): As announced by the Chancellor in the recent Autumn Statement, the Government will be investing £1.2 billion in 24/25 increasing LHA rates to the 30th percentile of local market rents. This is a significant investment of over £7 billion over the next five years.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about proliferation of infectious diseases resulting from climate emergencies

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 12th December 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked  His Majesty’s Government what precautions they have taken against the spread of infectious diseases resulting from future climate emergencies.

Lord Markham (Con, DHSC): The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) established a Centre for Climate and Health Security to address the challenges posed by climate change to public health. UKHSA was commissioned by the National Adaptation Programme to update the evidence on the health impacts of climate change through a United Kingdom-focused report entitled Health Effects of Climate Change in the UK. This report is due to be published in mid-December.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about aid to Bangladesh in support of Rohingya refugees

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 12th December 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 27 November (HL485), how much the UK donated in aid to the Rohingya response in Bangladesh in (1) 2017, (2) 2018, (3) 2019, (4) 2020, (5) 2021, and (6) 2022.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about transport poverty in rural areas

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 12th December 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to respond to the high level of transport poverty in rural areas, as outlined in the report Getting the measure of transport poverty published by the Social Market Foundation on 15 November.

Lord Davies of Gower: The Government understands that the transport needs of communities in rural areas differ from those in urban environments for a variety of reasons including demographics, lower population density and travel distances.

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Bishop of Durham asks about banking in the north-east of England

The Bishop of Durham asked a question on the rate of new banking hubs, and the effects of the diminishing number of post offices in the north-east of England, during a debate on bank branch closures and the opening of new hubs on 11th December 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Durham asked: My Lords, I thank the Minister for that last answer. However, in the north-east, only one banking hub has been opened this year and there is a diminishing number of post offices, so it is quite hard to see how the post office network is actually helping in the north-east.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about sexism and misogyny in the Ministry of Defence

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 11th December 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government:

  • what assessment they have made of the allegations of sexism, misogyny and sexual assault in the Ministry of Defence, in a recent letter sent in October which included testimonies from 60 female civil servants at the Ministry of Defence.
  • what plans they have to commission an independent investigation into the culture of sexism and misogyny at the Ministry of Defence, as called for by the FDA trade union.
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Bishop of Durham asks about conditions in the UK immigration and detention system

The Bishop of Durham received the following written answers on 11th December 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Durham asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to publish a progress report on the implementation of recommendations from the Brook House Inquiry report, published on 19 September.

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Bishop of Chelmsford asks about monitoring of funds to refugees allocated by Rwanda under new treaty

The Bishop of Chelmsford asked a question on the government’s treaty with Rwanda, on whether the monitoring committee outlined in the treaty would review how funds have been allocated to meeting the needs of refugees by Rwandan authorities:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford: My Lords, will the monitoring committee, as outlined in the economic development partnership and now the treaty, review how funds have been allocated by the Rwandan authorities towards meeting the needs of refugees?

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Bishop of Worcester asks about impact of new immigration legislation regarding UK’s partnership with Rwanda

The Bishop of Worcester asked a question on the disapplication of the Human Rights Act in immigration enforcement, and the impact of this on clergy visas, on 7th December 2023, in response to a government statement on new legislation relating to the UK’s immigration partnership with Rwanda:

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: My Lords, I apologise for being slightly delayed for the consideration of this Statement. My understanding is that the Bill disapplies certain sections of the Human Rights Act 1998 to allow public authorities to operate in a way that is incompatible with international obligations. If that is the case, surely that means disregarding the human rights of people seeking asylum, and I struggle to see what human rights can mean if they are not conferred on all human beings. I will be grateful if the Minister can comment on that. I will also be grateful—as would all of us on these Benches—for some clarification of the status of tier 2 ministry religion visas, in light of the new financial threshold. Perhaps it would be possible to have a meeting about that.

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Bishop of Worcester asks about need for specialised training to recognise mental health effects of financial strain for front line workers

The Bishop of Worcester asked a question on the need for training for front line workers in government and essential services to support and recognise the mental health effects of financial stress and strain on 7th December 2023, following a discussion on the Trussell Trust’s recommendation of an essentials guarantee for benefits claimants:

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: My Lords, thinking of the effects of poverty, the Mental Health Foundation has recommended that all front-line workers, including those who work in essential services and government, should be given training and support to know how to respond effectively to the mental health effects of financial stress and strain. Will the Minister agree that this training and support is both vital and necessary?

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