Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons
The Bishop of Bristol received the following written answer on 6th March 2025:
The Lord Bishop of Bristol asked His Majesty’s Government whether the £25,000 cap on grants under Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme in 2025–26 will apply to works (1) which are at tender stage with finances committed, (2) which are currently in progress, and (3) in relation to which contracts have been signed.
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The Bishop of Leeds received the following written answer on 6th March 2025:
The Lord Bishop of Leeds asked His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking through Official Development Assistance to support the rights of women and girls in Iraq, including in Iraqi Kurdistan.
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The Bishop of Norwich asked a question on ensuring study-abroad opportunities, particularly for students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, on 5th March 2025:
The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, universities in the Cathedrals Group—the 14 higher education institutions founded by the churches—have a higher proportion of students who progress to university when they are older, and/or who are the first in their family to progress to university. How will His Majesty’s Government ensure that all students who wish to, and particularly those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, are able to access the life-changing opportunities afforded by studying abroad, given the loss to students of Erasmus funding?
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On 4th March 2025, the Bishop of Norwich asked a question on the UK’s commitments to Ukrainian defence, following a government statement on the status of the conflict:
The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, I thank the Minister for the Statement and echo other comments in your Lordships’ House about the leadership that the Prime Minister has shown in recent days. In Norfolk last week, I spent time with some of the brave Ukrainian men and women who are being trained, over a very short five-week period, by the Irish Guards and instructors from a range of international allies under Operation Interflex, learning the vital skills that they need to defend their nation in the face of Putin’s illegal invasion. Will the Minister give assurances that this commitment to Operation Interflex and to train Ukrainian men and women remains absolutely ironclad and will continue for as long as it is needed?
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The Bishop of St Albans asked a question on publication of BBC translation guidelines on 4th March 2025, during a discussion on recent coverage on Gaza:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I understand that one of the particular worries was to do with the way certain phrases were translated, and therefore may have unwittingly biased people or been misleading. Will the BBC publish the principles and guidelines that are used for translation in these difficult situations?
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about BBC translation guidelines”The Bishop of Norwich asked a question on addressing the root causes of violence against women and girls on 4th March 2025, during a discussion on relationship, sex, and health education:
The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, the Church of England’s National Society for Education is proud to be part of the White Ribbon project, whose aim is to prevent men’s violence against women and girls by addressing its root causes. In our Church schools, we support the ability to explore these themes in collective worship, RSHE curricula and class time. What plans do His Majesty’s Government have to address the root causes of violence against women and girls in their revised guidance?
Continue reading “Bishop of Norwich asks about addressing causes of violence against women and girls”The Bishop of Norwich asked a question on government obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species on 3rd March 2025, during a discussion on climate change:
The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, on this World Wildlife Day, the day that the United Nations marks the adoption of the CITES—the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species—and given that climate change is having an impact on rare and endangered species and the habitats that support them, making them rarer and more endangered, even extinct, and driving up their illegal value, will the Minister allow us to hear a little bit more about how His Majesty’s Government are working to ensure that their obligations under the CITES are met?
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The Bishop of Lichfield received the following written answer on 3rd March 2025:
The Lord Bishop of Lichfield asked His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to work with faith groups to support people being released from prison.
Continue reading “Bishop of Lichfield asks about support for faith groups working with prison leavers”The Bishop of St Albans spoke in the Bishop of Chelmsford’s debate on British citizens currently being held by the Iranian regime, urging that the UK act to support those detained and stand up for human rights overseas:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I thank my right reverend friend the Bishop of Chelmsford for tabling this debate and for the sensitive way in which she has introduced it. I add to hers my best wishes and prayers for the Foremans, their family and friends, and my thanks to the Minister and all those officials who are working so hard behind the scenes in the FCDO. I also extend my thanks to the ambassador in Tehran and to all those working at the embassy there. I am sure they are doing all they can to resolve this desperately sad situation.
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The Bishop of Chelmsford led a debate on government progress in reducing the number of British citizens held by the Iranian regime on 27th February 2025:
The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford: To ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they are making to reduce the number of British citizens being held by the Iranian regime.
My Lords, I am grateful that time has been allocated to this debate and I look forward to the range of contributions, as well as to the Minister’s response.
I declare my personal interest in the subject. I come originally from Iran; I was born in the beautiful and historic city of Isfahan and I left as a teenager, with my family, following the impact of the Islamic revolution on the small Anglican Church community of which we were a part and, in particular, the attempt on my father’s life and the murder of my 24 year-old brother.
As I have said before in this Chamber, none of this has left me with ill will towards my homeland, but rather a profound sense of sadness at its current plight. I retain a deep love for Iran, its beauty and ancient civilization, and I have great respect for my fellow countryfolk, many of whom suffer in an increasingly intolerable situation or find themselves part of the growing diaspora community. I still hope one day to travel back to Iran, but for now this is not possible because of the current regime.
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