Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Derby asks about development of guidance on child safeguarding

The Bishop of Derby received the following written answer on 27th January 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Derby asked His Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 23 December 2025 (HL12716), what is the timeline and development plan for non-statutory guidance to be issued to all relevant frontline practitioners safeguarding children from criminal exploitation to ensure a range of stakeholders can contribute; and what steps they will take to mitigate limitations to non-statutory guidance, including inconsistencies across documents and delays in updating guidance that is not statutory.

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Bishop of Hereford asks about financial impact of 2025 budget on music performances in churches

The Bishop of Hereford asked a question on the role of churches as music and performance venues, during a discussion on the impact of the 2025 budget on grassroots music venues on 26th January 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Hereford: My Lords, I thank the Minister for his answers. Across the country, churches provide the largest network of performance spaces available to professional and amateur groups for music making and other artistic endeavours, so I thank him for the recent announcement regarding the new places of worship renewal fund. But I am sure he will be aware that there are thousands of churches and other faith communities across the country waiting to know how that scheme will operate. Will the Minister let us know when the details of the scheme will be published and whether the Government will work with us to ensure the scheme is workable, consistent and fair, especially in the levying of VAT?

Lord Livermore (Lab, Treasury): I am grateful for the support that the right reverend Prelate set out in his question. I assure him that that will be responded to very shortly.

Hansard

Bishop of Southwark asks about Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 26th January 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 16 September 2025 (HL10149), what plans they have to disburse all the remaining funds in the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme by raising the cap on individual claims retrospectively in the final weeks of the scheme.

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Bishop of Gloucester asks about prisoner demographics and data

The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answers on 26th January 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government how many people of each ethnic group were in prison as of 30 September 2025 by religion.

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Bishop of Leicester asks about youth work

The Bishop of Leicester received the following written answer on 23rd January 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that the trusted adults targeted through the National Youth Strategy are trained and equipped to provide skilled work-readiness coaching for young people who are not in education, employment or training.

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Bishop of Sheffield asks about Goole and District Hospital

The Bishop of Sheffield received the following written answer on 22nd January 2026:

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

  • what consultations are underway with North Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust and local community members regarding the possible closure of Goole and District Hospital.
  • what assessment they have made of the availability and accessibility of high-quality healthcare services at Goole and District Hospital.
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Bishop of Sheffield asks about fees and charges for overseas students

The Bishop of Sheffield received the following written answer on 22nd January 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Sheffield asked His Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Malvern on 16 September 2025 (UIN HL10064), which higher education providers have been or will be consulted about the introduction of a levy on income from international students.

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Bishop of Leicester asks about youth employment schemes

The Bishop of Leicester received the following written answer on 22nd January 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester asked His Majesty’s Government what measures they have in place to ensure that the trial of new interventions within the Youth Trailblazers programme does not affect participation levels in existing employment programmes run by the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector which they have evaluated as effective.

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Votes: Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

On 21st January 2026, the House of Lords voted on amendments to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The Bishop of Manchester and the Bishop of Newcastle took part in votes:

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Bishop of Manchester asks about age of criminal responsibility in Sweden

On 21st January 2026, the Bishop of Manchester asked a clarifying question on changes to the age of criminal responsibility in Sweden during a discussion on the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, the Minister referred a few moments ago to Sweden lowering its age below 15. I have done a quick google check, and as far as I can understand, it has lowered it to 14, which is rather different from 10. Can she confirm that that is correct?

Baroness Levitt (Lab, MoJ): I thank the right reverend Prelate. I think it is from 15 to 13.

Hansard