Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Chelmsford asks about affordable housing, housebuilding, and renters’ reform

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answers on 2nd November 2022:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of raising the threshold at which affordable housing quotas apply, from developments of 10 houses to developments of (1) 40, and (2) 50 houses, on the creation of affordable housing stock.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con): In August 2020, HMG consulted on raising the threshold at which affordable housing contributions are required from 10 units to 40 or 50 units. This was proposed as part of the ‘Changes to the Current Planning System’.

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Bishop of Southwark asks about the UK’s overseas aid budget

The Bishop of Southwark asked a question on the UK’s overseas aid budget on 1st November 2022, during a debate on the current conflict in Ukraine:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s commitment that the United Kingdom should remain one of the leading nations in equipping Ukraine to resist the Russian invasion and occupation of what is sovereign territory. In his maiden speech in July, my friend the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham linked the Russian blockade with the risk of a devastating famine in the Horn of Africa and east Africa. With the suspension of the Black Sea grain initiative, does the Minister agree that this strengthens the case to restore the overseas aid budget to 0.7% without further delay?

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Bishop of St Albans asks about classes on free speech in universities

The Bishop of St Albans asked a question about universities offering classes on free speech, during a debate on the use of philosophy in education on 1st November 2022:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, it is not only about critical thinking; we need to have a place where those ideas can be exchanged, which is about free speech. I understand that the University of Cambridge has recently appointed a philosophy professor, who is teaching classes in free speech. Does the Minister think this is something we need in all our universities, and should it start in our schools as well?

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Bishop of Gloucester asks about the Healthy Start Scheme

The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answer on 1st November 2022:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government whether, and if so when, the Department for Work and Pensions will resume the sharing of Healthy Start take-up data with the Department of Health and Social Care.

Baroness Stedman-Scott (Con): DWP are working with DHSC to make data available by the end of 2022.

Hansard

Bishop of Coventry asks about conflict in Ethiopia and Tigray

The Bishop of Coventry received the following written answers on 1st November 2022:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the two-year conflict in Ethiopia on the (1) nutritional status, (2) mortality rates, and (3) educational standards, of children in Tigray.

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Bishop of Southwark asks about Palestinian elections

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 1st November 2022:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the agreement reached in Algiers on 13 October by 14 Palestinian factions to hold legislative and presidential elections within 12 months in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and in Gaza; and what plans they have, if any, to offer assistance to that end.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about affordable housing

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 1st November 2022:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made on their plans to scrap the new affordability rules for housing developments.

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Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about Renters Reform Bill

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham received the following written answer on 31st October 2022:

The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked His Majesty’s Government when they plan to introduce the Renters Reform Bill; and, given the increase in mortgage costs may lead to tenants spending longer in rented accommodation, what consideration they have given to bringing forward their timetable for seeking to get the Bill passed.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about abolition of Section 21 eviction notices

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 31st October 2022:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made with their plans to end section 21 eviction notices.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con): Everyone deserves to live in a safe and secure home. The Prime Minister has committed to the ban on Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions to protect tenants. Ensuring a fair deal for renters remains a priority for the government and we will legislate in this Parliament.

Hansard

Bishop of St Albans asks about treatment of Christians in Iran

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 31st October 2022:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recent treatment of Christian minorities in Iran.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con): Promoting the right to freedom of religion or belief for all is one of the UK’s longstanding human rights priorities.

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