Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Lincoln asks about need for affordable housing to combat child poverty

The Bishop of Lincoln received the following written answer on 1st September 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Lincoln asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of (1) the report by the Children’s Commissioner, Growing up in a low-income family: Children’s experiences, published on 8 July; and (2) the recommendation that children in low-income households be prioritised for access to new homes under the Affordable Homes Programme.

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Bishop of Leicester asks about efforts to combat socio-economic inequality

The Bishop of Leicester received the following written answer on 1st September 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester asked His Majesty’s Government whether they plan to announce a commencement order for the socio-economic duty in section 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

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Bishop of Lincoln asks about sustainable farming

The Bishop of Lincoln received the following written answer on 1st September 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Lincoln asked His Majesty’s Government when they will announce details of the eligibility criteria and timeline for introducing a new Sustainable Farming Incentive offer.

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Bishop of Norwich asks about settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answers on 1st September 2025:

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

  • what assessment they have made of ongoing settler attacks on Palestinian communities in Taybeh in the West Bank, including the attack on St George’s Church on 7 July; and what steps they are taking to impose travel bans and financial sanctions on those responsible.
  • what representation they have made to the government of Israel to investigate and prevent the reported incidents of arson and assaults by settlers on Palestinian property, agricultural land and holy sites in Taybeh in the West Bank.
  • whether they have met or intend to meet representatives of the Greek Orthodox Church, Latin Church, and the Melkite Geek Catholic Church following settler violence against Palestinian communities in Taybeh in the West Bank.
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Church Commissioners Written Questions: Religious Buildings, Retired Clergy, Church Closures, Clergy Vacancies, Slavery, Religious Practice

On 1st September 2025, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following written answers to questions from MPs:

Religious Buildings

Andrew Rosindell MP (Con, Romford): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, whether the National Church Institutions have issued guidance on the use of sacred places of worship for secular purposes.

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Bishop of Newcastle asks about methods of crime prevention for young people

The Bishop of Newcastle asked a question on development of Young Futures Hubs on 24th July 2025, during a discussion on their potential to improve crime prevention and the need to ensure equality of access to the service:

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle: My Lords, it is important that the Young Futures hubs are developed in such a way that they respond to the distinct challenges in different local contexts. How do the Government intend to work with and consult young people from different regions of the UK to help shape and develop these important services?

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Bishop of Newcastle asks about environmental impact of AI data centres

The Bishop of Newcastle asked a question on the environmental impact of AI data centres during a discussion on artificial intelligence legislation on 21st July 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle: My Lords, I am very pleased that Blyth in north-east England has been chosen as the site of a new AI data centre. This represents good investment in training and skills and in transport infrastructure. However, data centres have a lot of impact on the environment and local communities, particularly in terms of water shortages. What ongoing assessment has been done of the impact, particularly on water shortages in local communities?

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Bishop of Oxford asks about changes to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Fund

The Bishop of Oxford received the following written answer on 21st July 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Oxford asked His Majesty’s Government whether they have made an assessment of the cost implications of children who (1) remain longer in care, and (2) are returned to care, as a result of the changes made to the adoption and special guardianship support fund.

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Bishop of Leeds asks about freedom of religion in Estonia

The Bishop of Leeds received the following written answer on 18th July 2025:

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

  • what assessment they have made of freedom of religion or belief in Estonia.
  • what assessment they have made of whether the proposed the Act on Amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act adopted by the Estonian Parliament on 18 June contravenes international standards and norms on the right to freedom of religion of belief, and whether they have made representations to the government of Estonia.
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Bishop of Southwark asks about threats against Christians in Syria

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answers on 18th July 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government, in the light of the suicide bombing at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias on 22 June, what support they have given to the new government of Syria to help to protect the Christian population against attack.

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