Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Newcastle asks about regional railway connectivity

The Bishop of Newcastle asked a question on railway connectivity in the North East of England on 31st October 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle: My Lords, the father of the modern railways, George Stephenson, was born in Wylam in my diocese. The noble Lord, Lord Parkinson, has already referred to the pride that the north-east feels in his legacy. Would the Minister consider adding his name to those of colleagues from all sides of this House and the other place in pledging support for the reinstatement of the Leamside line in the north-east, adding a modest 21 miles of connectivity to that region?

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Bishop of St Albans asks about the treatment of Uyghur Muslims in China

On 31st October 2024, the Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government whether they recognise the treatment of Uyghur Muslims by the government of China as genocide.

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Bishop of Norwich asks about offshore oil and gas industry

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answers on 30th October 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich asked His Majesty’s Government what their policy is for licensed but undeveloped sites for offshore oil and gas drilling, and whether they plan to implement a moratorium on issuing of development consents for those sites.

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Bishop of Newcastle asks about reducing number of young people not in employment, education, or training

The Bishop of Newcastle tabled a question on government steps to educe the number of young people not in employment, education, or training on 29th October 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle: To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce the number of young people not in employment, education, or training.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about gambling taxation

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 29th October 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government:

  • what assessment they have made of the finding in the Social Market Foundation report Fiscally Responsible: The case for reforming Remote Gambling Duty, published on 15 October, that 52 per cent of respondents to a Survation poll believe the Government should increase tax on online gambling.
  • what consideration they have given to doubling the tax on remote gaming duty from 21 per cent to 42 per cent, as recommended by the Social Market Foundation report Fiscally Responsible: The case for reforming Remote Gaming Duty, published on 15 October.
  • what plans they have to conduct a full review of gambling taxation ahead of the 2025 Budget, as recommended in the Social Market Foundation report Fiscally Responsible: The case for reforming Remote Gaming Duty, published on 15 October.
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Bishop of Newcastle asks about support for children’s homes

The Bishop of Newcastle asked a question on support for children’s homes in the north of England on 28th October 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle: My Lords, at the last count in March 2023, 41% of children’s homes in England were located in the north of England. What steps are the Government taking to provide additional support to areas of the country where there is a disproportionately higher number of children in the care home and care system?

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Bishop of St Albans asks about the rural economy

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 28th October 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the performance of the rural economy compared to that of other countries in Europe.

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Bishop of Leicester asks about preventing delays of EHCPs for looked-after children

On 24th October 2024, the Bishop of Leicester asked a question preventing delays and unnecessary duplications when looked-after children move from one area to another and the new local authority is obligated to review their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP):

The Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, as I understand it, the situation for looked-after children—who, as we know, have a much higher proportion of EHCPs and SEND—is that, when they move from one area to another, the new local authority has to conduct a review of the EHCP. This causes further unnecessary delays. Can the Minister confirm that, as part of the review of current provision, this unnecessary duplication will be addressed?

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Bishop of St Albans asks about poverty and debt

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 24th October 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government, with regard to the finding in the Christians Against Poverty report Under the rubble of debt and poverty, published in May, that 59 per cent of their new clients had incomes below the poverty line, what steps they will take to reduce the number of individuals living below this threshold.

Baroness Sherlock (Lab, DWP): This government is committed to tackling poverty.

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Bishop of Newcastle asks about child poverty and benefits system

The Bishop of Newcastle received the following written answers on 24th October 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the financial impact that the five-week wait has on those awaiting their first Universal Credit payment.

Baroness Sherlock (Lab, DWP): No assessment has been made of the financial impact of the 5-week-wait. The Government is committed to reviewing Universal Credit so that it makes work pay and tackles poverty.

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