On the 10th September 2015 Baroness Tyler of Enfield asked the Government what plans they have to tackle the variations in health outcomes across the country for children aged under five. The Bishop of St Albans asked a supplementary question about the impact access to health services have on children in rural areas
Category: Questions
Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons
Bishop of Peterborough asks the Government about benefits sanctions
On the 10th September 2015 Baroness Sherlock asked the government what plans they have to review the operation of sanctions on benefits. The Bishop of Peterborough, Rt Revd. Donald Allister, asked a supplementary question about the impact the cost of travel has on people in rural areas when they are required to attend appointments at JobCentre Plus.
The Lord Bishop of Peterborough: My Lords, the Feeding Britain report showed that some people have been sanctioned for missing or being late for appointments when it is not their own fault. Is it not possible for the staff at Jobcentre Plus to be given some discretion in whether or not to apply sanctions? Along the same lines, is it fair that some people in rural communities have to spend £7 or more on bus fares to get to routine appointments when the likes of me, who can well afford bus fares, are entitled to a free bus pass?
Continue reading “Bishop of Peterborough asks the Government about benefits sanctions”
Bishop of Chester asks for clarification from Government over civil partnership and inheritance tax
On the 9th September 2015 Lord Lexden asked a question to the Government about why they have no plans to amend the Civil Partnership Act 2004 to enable siblings to register as civil partners. The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Peter Forster asked a short supplementary question as a point of clarification.
The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, can the Minister confirm what I think I heard her say—that the change in the inheritance arrangements for married people and civil partners, which will enable an exemption from inheritance tax, actually applies to siblings as well? That is not how I understood the changes to apply. Continue reading “Bishop of Chester asks for clarification from Government over civil partnership and inheritance tax”
Archbishop of Canterbury responds to Government statement on Syrian refugees
On the 7th September 2015 the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby, responded to the Prime Minister’s statement about Syrian refugees and counter-terrorism, which had been repeated in the House of Lords by Baroness Stowell.
The Archbishop of Canterbury: I warmly welcome this start in the response of domestic hospitality, which comes in addition to the very considerable work that we have done overseas through the overseas aid budget and the work of the Royal Navy. It is on that basis that, challenged by this, the churches, starting this morning, are working urgently to add to what they have already been doing locally, and to work together to achieve and support a coherent, compassionate and credible public policy.
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Bishop of St Albans asks government about support for not-for-profit debt management advice services
On the 7th September 2015 Lord Sharkey asked the Government ‘what assessment they have made of the thematic review Quality of Debt Management Advice published by the Financial Conduct Authority in June 2015′. The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith asked a supplementary question.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, given that the FCA report discovered that not-for-profit organisations were better at giving impartial debt advice, will the Minister tell us what plans Her Majesty’s Government have to ensure that those organisations have sufficient funding to be able to offer that service to the 8.8 million people in the UK who are in need of debt management advice? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks government about support for not-for-profit debt management advice services”
Bishop of Peterborough asks Government about support for disabled children at risk of sexual exploitation
On the 7th September 2015 Baroness Benjamin asked the Government ‘what steps they are taking to protect children with learning difficulties and disabilities from sexual exploitation.’ The Bishop of Peterborough the Rt Revd. Donald Allister asked a supplementary question regarding increasing therapeutic support for children at risk.
The Lord Bishop of Peterborough: My Lords, given that abused children often do not show symptoms for some years, and that children with learning disabilities tend to show symptoms in different ways that are not as easily recognised, does the Minister agree that all children who are subject to sexual harm prevention orders or sexual risk orders should receive assessment of their needs and therapeutic support even before signs or symptoms are shown?
Bishop of St Albans asks government about plans for a national living wage
On 3rd August 2015 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received answers to written questions on the government’s plans for a National Living Wage, and on the income pressures faced by young people:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to bring the National Living Wage in line with the rate recommended by the Living Wage Foundation by incorporating adjustments for cost of living and support received through tax credits. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks government about plans for a national living wage”
Bishop of St Albans raises case of journalists detained by Egyptian authorities
On 29th July 2015 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received a written answer to a question to HM Government about the cases of Al Jazeera journalists Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, on trial in Egypt. Amnesty International is campaigning for their release.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Egypt on behalf of Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed.
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Bishop of St Albans raises gambling addiction and social problems of fixed-odds betting terminals
On 22nd, 23rd & 24th July 2015 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received answers to written questions on the scale of gambling addiction in Greater London and fixed-odds betting terminals:
Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the research undertaken by the Campaign for Fairer Gambling into the social problems caused by fixed-odds betting terminals. [HL1485]
Forced marriage – Bishop of St Albans asks Government about scale of problem
On 24th July 2015 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received answers to three written questions on forced marriage.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many cases the Forced Marriage Unit was involved in, or gave support and advice to, in 2014. Continue reading “Forced marriage – Bishop of St Albans asks Government about scale of problem”
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