Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Blackburn asks Government for increase in universal credit to help families struggling because of covid

On 8th October 2020 Baroness Sherlock asked the Government “what assessment they have made of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on (1) low-income families with children, and (2) the support provided to them by the social security system.” The Bishop of Blackburn asked a further question:

The Lord Bishop of Blackburn: My Lords, a recent report by the Church of England and the Child Poverty Action Group highlighted the “disproportionate impact” of the pandemic on low-income families with children, saying that:

“Without a radical change in policy direction, the prospects for many families are likely to deteriorate further through the remainder of this year as unemployment rises”

and more families become reliant on the welfare system. Following Prime Minister’s Question Time in the other place yesterday, will the Government do more than consider? Will they commit to making the temporary uplift in universal credit permanent? Will they also commit to a commensurate increase in the level of support for children, to reflect the additional needs of families with children? Continue reading “Bishop of Blackburn asks Government for increase in universal credit to help families struggling because of covid”

Bishop of Coventry raises case of Nigerian detained without trial

On 8th October 2020 the Bishop of Coventry received a written answer from Government about the detention without trial of Professor Richard Solomon Tarfa in Nigeria:

Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Nigeria about the arrest and ongoing detention without trial of Professor Richard Solomon Musa Tarfa. [HL8624] Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry raises case of Nigerian detained without trial”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government how it will factor rural interests into future spending priorities

On Wednesday 7th October 2020 the Bishop of St Albans received a written answer to two questions on how the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review will consider rural affairs:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what requirements have been placed on departments by Her Majesty’s Treasury to ‘rural proof’ their submissions to the 2020 Comprehensive Spending Review; and how each of those departments have fulfilled these requirements. [HL8549]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the report by the Select Committee on the Rural Economy, Time for a Strategy for the rural economy, published on 26 March 2019 (HL Paper 330), what plans they have to ensure that each department’s Comprehensive Spending Review settlement will be conditional on ensuring that nobody living in a rural area is unreasonably disadvantaged by where they live. [HL8550] Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government how it will factor rural interests into future spending priorities”

Bishop of Rochester asks Government to engage with faith communities on future climate goals

On 6th October 2020 Baroness Boycott asked the Government “what progress they have made towards identifying sponsors for COP 26; and what criteria are used in the appointment of any such sponsors.” The Bishop of Rochester asked a further question:

The Lord Bishop of Rochester: My Lords, while I understand that the focus of formal sponsorship is on businesses, is the Minister able to confirm that Her Majesty’s Government are also keen to engage in similarly deliberate ways with other bodies, including faith communities? These communities are highly motivated—indeed mandated—to care for God’s creation, locally and globally, and many, including the Church of England’s General Synod, have already committed to challenging targets for carbon reduction. Continue reading “Bishop of Rochester asks Government to engage with faith communities on future climate goals”

Bishop of St Albans asks about alleged Syrian war crimes

On 6th October 2020 the Bishop of St Albans received a written answer to a question on allegations that the Syrian National Army may have committed war crimes against Kurdish civilians:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the report by the UN Human Rights Council’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic 21st report of the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, published on 15 September, what representations they have made to the government of Turkey about the allegations that the Syrian National Army may have committed war crimes against Kurdish civilians in Afrin and the surrounding area. [HL8334] Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about alleged Syrian war crimes”

Bishop of Southwark calls on Government to resume refugee resettlement programme

On 5th October 2020 Lord Foulkes of Cumnock asked the Government “whether they are planning (1) to establish asylum processing centres in British Overseas Territories, and (2) to house those who are seeking asylum on disused ferries; and, if so, how any such plans would comply with international obligations.” The Bishop of Southwark asked a further question:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, talk of Her Majesty’s Government possibly acquiring timeshares in property on the isle of Elba or anywhere else aside, it is worth noting that the Home Secretary yesterday stressed the importance of “safe and legal routes” to asylum in the United Kingdom. I was grateful to hear that. Since the Government have now determined that it is safe and appropriate to resume deportation flights from the UK, will the Minister confirm that they have decided to resume immediately the refugee settlement programme they suspended in March? If not, will she inform the House of the difference in criteria for holiday and deportation flights and for those seeking sanctuary in this country? Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark calls on Government to resume refugee resettlement programme”

Bishop of Oxford calls for household access to digital connection to be treated equally to other household utilities

On 5th October 2020 Baroness McDonagh asked the Government “what assessment they have made of the impact on primary and secondary school students’ ability to learn for those students (1) who have digital connectivity, and (2) who do not have such connectivity, when learning from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.” The Bishop of Oxford asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Oxford [V]: My Lords, I thank the Minister for her Answer and for what the Government have already done. Before the pandemic, 23% of children in socioeconomic groups D and E lacked home broadband and access to laptops, et cetera. Does the Minister agree that we now need to measure data poverty and its effects more carefully? Will the Government commit to legislating for household digital access to be treated as a utility on an equal footing with the right to access for water and heat—a change supported by the general public? Continue reading “Bishop of Oxford calls for household access to digital connection to be treated equally to other household utilities”

Bishop of St Albans asks about prosecutions for genocide against Myanmar generals

On 5th October 2020 the Bishop of St Albans received a written answer to a question on Myanmar:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the UN Human Rights Council Report of the independent international fact-finding mission on Myanmar, published in September 2018, and in particular the recommendation that senior generals of the Myanmar military be investigated and prosecuted for genocide; and what support they plan to provide to the case brought by the government of The Gambia against the government of Myanmar currently before the International Court of Justice. [HL8425] Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about prosecutions for genocide against Myanmar generals”

Bishop of Gloucester asks about Government support for children’s sport

On 1st October 2020 questions in the House of Lords were put to Government on support for professional and amateur sport. The Bishop of Gloucester, Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, asked a question: 

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords, I was pleased to hear that the Government believes that sports clubs are the beating heart of their communities. As bishops we like to believe that is also true of our church communities, and indeed all communities of faith – and the Church of England is currently investing in pilot projects including my own diocese, focusing on sport and wellbeing underpinned by our Christian faith. Indeed the Bishop of Derby is the lead bishop for sport.

Can the government say what investment will the Government make into local provision for children and young people to engage in sports and physical activity that is shaped by them, given the research of the Children’s Society highlighting the importance not only of chosen physical activity but also of positive time with peers, and the fact that that has all been horribly impacted by Covid-19?

Continue reading “Bishop of Gloucester asks about Government support for children’s sport”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government if it will mediate in conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan

On Wednesday 30th September the House of Lords put questions to Government on violence in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, and what representations they have made to the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a question:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans [V]:  Does the Minister agree with the interventions made by Pope Francis and the most reverend Primate the Archbishop of Canterbury that call on all parties in the conflict to take concrete steps to resolve this latest clash? Specifically, have Her Majesty’s Government offered to be part of that mediating process? I ask this because we need to find new partners who can offer that mediation if we are to find a way through after so many years of deadlock. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government if it will mediate in conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan”