Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Domestic Abuse Bill: Bishop of Derby

The Bishop of Derby spoke during a debate on the Domestic Abuse Bill on 1st February 2021, in support of amendment 176, which would clarify the need for specialist domestic abuse services:

The Lord Bishop of Derby [V]: My Lords, I add my voice to those who have already welcomed this Bill and thank the Minister for the Government’s responses so far. I support all the amendments in this group but address my comments to Amendment 176, to which I was pleased to add my name. I am privileged to follow the noble Lord, Lord Polak, and commend his clear and passionate introduction to this amendment.

Although this Bill is welcome and long overdue, its success as legislation must ultimately be measured in how far it improves on current outcomes in supporting survivors of abuse. To that end, Amendment 176 seeks to strengthen the Bill to ensure that all survivors of domestic abuse can equally access the protection and support measures they require.

I too support the Government’s good intentions in including a statutory duty to provide accommodation-based support and appreciated the earlier debate on that provision. However, I fear an unintended consequence: in placing the focus on that support, we risk undermining the funding and provision of specialist community-based services, notably including for many children who are victims of domestic abuse.

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Bishop of Salisbury asks about work of faith communities in health and social care and UK Commitment to overseas aid

The Bishop of Salisbury asked a question on recognition of the work of faith groups in the health and social care sector during the pandemic, and whether the UK would move to restore overseas aid to 0.7% of the GDP commitment, during a discussion on International Year of Health and Care Workers on 1st February 2021:

The Lord Bishop of Salisbury [V]: My Lords, in Salisbury we have had good reason to recognise the dedication and sacrifice of health and care workers, both at the time of the Novichok poisonings and in this present pandemic. The use of Salisbury and other cathedrals and churches as vaccination centres indicates a partnership between spirituality and health care, so will the Minister join me in thanking chaplains, among all the dedicated healthcare workers at this time? What we see in this country is in marked contrast with the poorest parts of the world, as in Sudan and South Sudan, with which this diocese is linked. Given that this is a global pandemic, when might the Government recognise the self-interest involved in overseas aid and move to restore the 0.7% of GDP commitment? No one will be safe until everyone is safe.

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Archbishop of York asks about humanitarian situation in Sudan and Tigray

The Lord Archbishop of York received the following written answers on 1st February 2021:

The Lord Archbishop of York asked Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports of human rights abuses in Tigray; and what support they are providing (1) to the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, (2) to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and (3) to the African Union, to (a) investigate, and (b) document, such abuses.

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Bishop of Durham asks about reconciliation events for Windrush Generation

The Bishop of Durham received the following written answer on 1st February 2021:

The Lord Bishop of Durham asked Her Majesty’s Government on what date they plan to commence hosting “reconciliation events” with individuals from the Windrush generation.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about humanitarian situation in Tigray

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 1st February 2021:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked Her Majesty’s Government, further to the report by the UNOCHA Ethiopia—Tigray Region Humanitarian Update Situation Report, published on 6 January, what assessment they have made of reports of (1) food shortages, (2) looting, (3) sexual violence, and (3) damage to cultural heritage, in Tigray.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about access to broadband in deprived areas

The Bishop of St Albans asked a question on enabling access to broadband for young people in deprived areas and the importance of education in light of the coronavirus pandemic on 28th January 2021, during following a government statement on COVID-19:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, the position for young people in school and education is mixed, with some students in poorer areas still not having access to online education and those in remote rural areas with not-spots simply not able to get online. Could the noble Baroness comment on the priority of trying to ensure that we move much more rapidly on the provision of broadband, particularly in those difficult areas? Secondly, we are going to have to do a big catch-up on educational standards and achievements, but it is important, at the same time, to look holistically at the spiritual, emotional and psychological work we are going to have to do with our young people. What plans are being made by Her Majesty’s Government?

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Bishop of Carlisle speaks in debate on report from the Economic Affairs Committee

On 28th January 2021, the Bishop of Carlisle took part in a debate on a report from the Economic Affairs Committee, focusing on the need for health and social care reform:

The Lord Bishop of Carlisle [V]: My Lords, I add my own expression of gratitude to the Economic Affairs Committee for such a clear and coherent report, based as it is on such careful research and presenting us with such direct and forthright conclusions. Its basic principles for reform are eminently sensible. Like others, I applaud the emphasis, pace Dilnot, on a partnership approach to the funding of social care, and the principles of free personal care, with a cap on accommodation costs, and increased funding enabled by general taxation. I will focus my brief contribution on principle (j), which reads:

“Invest in the social care workforce and ensure a more joined up approach to workforce planning with the National Health Service.”

If that is ignored, any increase in funding will run the risk of being wasted.

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Bishop of Winchester asks about teacher training

The Bishop of Winchester received the following written answers on 28th January 2021:

The Lord Bishop of Winchester asked Her Majesty’s Government, further to the announcement made by the Department for Education on 2 January about the review of the Initial Teacher Training market, what plans they have, as part of that review (1) to ensure an increased supply of new teachers rather than displacement of trainee teachers between providers, and (2) to mitigate any risk of (a) complexity, and (b) disincentives, in the market.

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Bishop of Durham asks about EU-UK asylum and returns agreement

The Bishop od Durham asked a question on engagement with other European countries on 28th January 2021, during a discussion on the EU-UK Joint Political Declaration on Asylum and Returns:

The Lord Bishop of Durham [V]: Does the Minister accept that some countries in Europe, such as Greece, Italy and France, are particularly important in bilateral negotiations? Will she confirm that a priority list of whom to engage with has been done and is being worked to?

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Church Commissioners Written Questions: Church Owned Land

On 27th January 2021, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP, gave the following written answer to a question from an MP:

Church Commissioners: Land

Kerry McCarthy MP (Lab, Bristol East): To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment he has made of the area of Church Commissioner-owned land tenancies, under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986, that will come up for renewal in the next (a) five years and (b) 10 years.

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