Questions – Page 20 – The Church of England in Parliament

Bishop of Gloucester asks about efforts to combat use of AI as a tool of harassment

The Bishop of Gloucester asked a question on responsible use of AI and combatting its use in harassment of women and girls online on 12th January 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords, following on from that question, I am very grateful for the action being taken by Ofcom to investigate X and the Grok AI chatbot, but what are the Government doing to create a robust framework so that AI will be used responsibly in this whole landscape of sexual harassment experienced by women and girls?

Bishop of Manchester asks about affordable housing

The Bishop of Manchester asked a question on support for community land trusts and social housing initiatives during a discussion on the government’s new homes target on 8th January 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, I am grateful for the answers that we have had, particularly around social rent and affordable rent. Does the Minister agree that we also need to make space for things such as community land trusts and other community-led social housing initiatives, which can often provide accommodation in particular niches and communities that is much more sensitive to the needs of local communities? They may not be volume builders, but I would urge that they have a vital part to play.

Bishop of Norwich asks about inclusion of civil society and faith organisations in path to net zero

The Bishop of Norwich tabled a question on government steps to include civil society and faith-based organisations in work to reach net zero emissions by 2050 on 8th January 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to include civil society and faith-based organisations in work to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Lord Whitehead (Lab, DESNZ): Our recently published Energising Britain plan sets out how we will work with communities so that everyone can benefit from our clean energy superpower mission. It highlights how we are already engaging people and local organisations to design and deliver climate and nature policies that reflect people’s needs and views. The plan also outlines new ways to collaborate, including an annual “Energising Britain” event and the Youth for Climate and Nature panel.

Bishop of Chester asks about diplomatic engagement

The Bishop of Chester asked a question on diplomatic engagement with those who might form a future government in Venezuela and with the government of Greenland on 7th January 2026, during a discussion on the US’ recent actions regarding both countries:

The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, I agree with the Minister on the importance of stable government for the future of Venezuela. Could she advise the House on whether we are investing in diplomatic relationships with all legitimate partners who might form any future Government, so that we can play our part in the future stability of that sovereign nation, and on whether the UK Government have any plans to follow Canada’s fine example, as reported in today’s i newspaper, of establishing full consular provision in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland?

Bishop of Chester asks about promoting graduate internships

The Bishop of Chester asked a question on government efforts to promote graduate internships during a discussion on a current decline in graduate jobs on 6th January 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, I am grateful for the replies that the Minister has already given and for the work the Government are doing in this area. To pick up on the question of apprenticeships, what are the Government doing to promote graduate internships? In an economy like that of the north-west, which depends on small and medium-sized enterprises, those are a vital way into work. Specifically around healthcare, the noble Baroness will be aware of the Jisc report from November 2025, which says that six out of 10 first- degree employment is in the area of health, social care or education, so how can the limited hiring, particularly of nurses, be addressed?

Bishop of Chester asks about family hubs and local organisations

The Bishop of Chester asked a question on relation of family hubs to local and voluntary groups in communities, during a conversation on supporting parents in raising young children on 5th January 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, can the Minister comment on the way in which these hubs will relate to voluntary groups? I warmly welcome the Question, which seems important, and the introduction of the hubs, but in an age when parenting can get increasingly lonely, the many voluntary groups that provide community are essential, if it takes a village to raise a child.

Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about arts education

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham received the following written answer on 5th January 2025:

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the closure of arts-based courses at universities and colleges on the culture and economy of towns and cities.

Bishop of Derby asks about preventing exploitation of children

The Bishop of Derby received the following written answer on 5th January 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Derby asked His Majesty’s Government whether they plan to issue statutory guidance to all statutory safeguarding partners, including police, local authorities and integrated care boards, for the criminal exploitation of children measures in the Crime and Policing Bill should the Bill receive Royal Assent; and if not, why not, and what steps they will take to clarify roles and responsibilities and embed best practice in safeguarding children from exploitation in that absence of that statutory guidance.

Bishop of Southwark asks about religious freedom in Armenia

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 5th January 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government, following the arrest of an archbishop in Armenia on 4 December, what assessment they have made of religious freedom in that country, and what discussions they have had with the government of Armenia about that issue.

Bishop of Lincoln asks about equality in education

On 5th January 2026, the Bishop of Lincoln received the following written answers:

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

what guidance they have issued to the Regional Department for Education Directors about the implementation of the Equality Act 2010 in academies.
what processes the Regional Department for Education Directors has in place to monitor the implementation of the Equality Act 2010 by academies.
what guidance they have issued to the Regional Department for Education Directors about the implementation of the Equality Act 2010 in schools in the maintained system.
what processes the Regional Department for Education Directors has in place to monitor the implementation of the Equality Act 2010 by schools in the maintained system.

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