Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of St Albans asks about whistleblowing in the Civil Service & the Bank of England

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 21st June 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government how many cases of whistleblowing were (1) reported, and (2) investigated, by the Civil Service in (a) 2020, (b) 2021, (c) 2022, and (d) 2023 to date.

Baroness Neville Rolfe (Con): I refer the Noble Lord to my previous answers – HL7792 and HL8058 – provided in May 2023.

Hansard

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government how many instances of whistleblowing there were to the Prudential Regulation Authority in each of the past four years.

Baroness Penn (Con): I refer the Noble Lord to my answer HL8060 on 5th June.

Hansard

Bishop of London asks about patient care and health inequalities

The Bishop of London received the following written answers on 20th June 2023:

The Lord Bishop of London asked His Majesty’s Government, further to The Hewitt Review: an independent review of integrated care systems, published on 4 April, what plans they have to implement the recommendation contained in that review to publish a strategy for the social care workforce.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about research into neurological conditions

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 20th June 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government how much money they are directing annually to research the (1) causes, and (2) treatment, for corticobasal degeneration.

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Bishop of London asks about community healthcare models to tackle health inequality

On 19th June 2023, the Bishop of London tabled a question on reducing inequality of access to primary care using the Community Health Worker Model:

The Lord Bishop of London: To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the community health worker model in relation to reducing inequality of access to primary care.

Lord Evans of Rainow (Con): My Lords, the Government have made no formal assessment of the community health worker model. However, they are supporting the development of models like the Brazilian one through the additional roles reimbursement scheme. We have delivered on our manifesto commitment to recruit 26,000 additional primary care professionals a year ahead of the March 2024 target. Our Delivery Plan for Recovering Access to Primary Care will also create a more equitable approach, regardless of patients’ routes to access.

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Bishop of Durham asks about effect of benefit caps on children and ethnic minority groups

The Bishop of Durham received the following written answers on 19th June 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Durham asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of children who would no longer be in poverty if the benefit cap were (1) abolished, and (2) returned to its original levels.

Viscount Younger of Leckie (Con): No assessment has been made.

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Bishop of Guildford asks about government response to recent violence in India

The Bishop of Guildford received the following written answer on 19th June 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Guildford asked His Majesty’s Government:

  • what representations they have made, if any, to the government of India about reported violence in Manipur State; and in particular, whether they have urged that government (1) to protect vulnerable communities in the state, and (2) to constrain Hindu nationalist narratives in the country which exacerbate communal tensions.
  • what steps they have taken, if any, to assist in the government of India in facilitating the return of members of tribal communities who have been displaced from their homes by violence in India’s Manipur State.
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Bishop of St Albans asks about funding for community choirs

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 19th June 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government how much funding they provided for community choirs in each of the past three years.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Con): His Majesty’s Government recognises the huge contribution cultural groups and organisations make, not only to the economy and international reputation of the United Kingdom, but also to the wellbeing and enrichment of its people. Local choirs are an important part of many people’s lives across the UK, providing a creative outlet and strong sense of community, as well as an accessible, enjoyable cultural experience enjoyed by people of all ages.

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Bishop of Exeter asks about diseases and invasive insects affecting the health of trees

The Bishop of Exeter received the following written answers on 19th June 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Exeter asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of acute oak decline in the UK; and what steps they are taking to minimise its impact.

Lord Benyon (Con): We have a dedicated programme of risk and horizon scanning, which continuously and proactively assesses emerging threats to plant health and the potential impact on the UK.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about increased rates of tuberculosis in Sudan

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 16th June 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the surge in tuberculosis cases in Sudan; and what steps they are taking to provide medical aid to that country.

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Bishop of Durham asks about cap on social security benefits

The Bishop of Durham received the following written answers on 16th June 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Durham asked His Majesty’s Government, whether they intend to abolish the benefit cap following their research which found that only five per cent of affected households moved into work as a result of it.

Viscount Younger of Leckie (Con): The benefit cap continues to provide a work incentive and fairness for hard-working taxpaying households, whilst providing a reasonable safety net of support for the most vulnerable. The Government firmly believes that where possible it is in the best interests of children to be in working households and the benefit cap provides a clear incentive to move into work.

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