Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Chelmsford asks about access to breakfast clubs for children with special education needs and disabilities

The Bishop of Chelmsford asked a question on ensuring children with special educational needs and disabilities can access school resources such as breakfast clubs on 27th February 2025, during following a government statement on school breakfast club provision:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford: My Lords, like many other noble Lords, I welcome this Statement. How will the Government ensure that breakfast clubs will be accessible to learners with special educational needs and disabilities who may usually be supported by one-to-one staff during the school day?

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Bishop of St Albans tables question on national programme for prostate cancer screenings

The Bishop of St Albans tabled a question on establishing a national programme for prostate cancer screenings on 27th February 2025:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce a national screening programme for prostate cancer.

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Bishop of Chelmsford asks about loss of family homes through HMO conversions

The Bishop of Chelmsford asked a question on the high rate of conversion of family homes into houses of multiple occupation on 27th February 2025, during a discussion on affordable rented housing:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford: My Lords, one consequence of sustained high rents in the private sector is the conversion of family homes into HMOs. Are the Government monitoring this trend, and what action are they taking on the loss of family homes in this way?

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Church Commissioners Questions: Rural Parishes, Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, Cathedrals, Church of Scotland, Diocese of Jerusalem, Church Organs, Archbishop of Canterbury

On 27th February 2025, Marsha De Cordova MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following answers to MPs in the House of Commons:

Rural Parishes

Charlie Dewhirst MP (Bridlington and The Wolds) (Con) asked: What assessment the Church of England has made of the contribution of rural parishes. (902885)

    Marsha De Cordova (Battersea) (Lab): The Church of England has more than 10,000 churches in our towns and villages in rural areas. In addition to their regular processes of prayer and worship, parish churches play an important role in the life of our rural communities.

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    Bishop of London advocates for assessment of cuts to development aid

    On 26th February 2025, the Bishop of London responded to a government statement on defence spending, urging that an assessment take place to identify the risks posed by cuts to development aid:

    The Lord Bishop of London: My Lords, I refer to my entry in the register of interests: I am the chair of Christian Aid. I am very privileged to follow the noble Lord, Lord Fowler, because I think we need to reject this false choice between defence spending and development spending. They are not competing priorities. This is not just about reputation. Properly used development funding helps to prevent conflict. It tackles instability and provides a greater and more just world. We have heard the concern that cutting aid in this way risks exacerbating instability and leads to conflict. Will the Government not just make an assessment of the outcomes of this cut in funding but make a proper assessment about the risk of increased insecurity, instability and conflict as a result of the cut?

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    Bishop of London asks about reducing health inequalities

    The Bishop of London asked a question on building partnerships with faith and community groups to address health inequalities on 26th February 2025, following a discussion on incorporating chiropractors into national musculoskeletal health prevention strategies:

    The Lord Bishop of London: My Lords, according to the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance report on health inequalities and deprivation, an important way to reduce health inequalities in these conditions, particularly in those groups of people who are underserved, is to help them to manage their own conditions. Often it is much harder because they often have more than one complex condition; often they are much more complex and are picked up much later. One of the recommendations was around moving NHS care into the community. Could the Minister tell us what the Government are doing to encourage the NHS to build partnerships with community groups, including faith groups, to seek to reduce inequalities in these conditions and communities?

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    Bishop of Norwich asks about climate and environment targets

    On 26th February 2025, the Bishop of Norwich received the following written answers:

    The Lord Bishop of Norwich asked His Majesty’s Government what progress has been made towards meeting the statutory environmental target of 16.5 per cent tree cover in England by 2050.

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    Bishop of St Albans asks about lung cancer in non-smokers

    The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 25th February 2025:

    The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the proportion of people diagnosed with lung cancer over the past five years who have never smoked.

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    Bishop of St Albans asks about potential closure of farm shops

    The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 25th February 2025:

    The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of Farm Retail Association forecasts that more than 700 farm shops could close in the coming decade.

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    Bishop of Gloucester asks about prevention of reoffending in domestic abuse cases

    The Bishop of Gloucester tabled a question on interventions to prevent reoffending among those convicted of domestic abuse on 24th February 2025:

    The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: To ask His Majesty’s Government what programmes and interventions are used to reduce re-offending among domestic abusers in the community; and what are the re-offending rates of those who participate.

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