Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Sheffield asks about public feedback on House of Lords sessions

The Bishop of Sheffield asked a question on the public reception and feedback on recorded sessions of the House of Lords on 14th October 2024, during a discussion on behaviour and courtesy in the House:

The Lord Bishop of Sheffield: My Lords, it is surely a very good thing that the dealings of this Chamber are broadcast live, but it does mean that our interactions with one another are witnessed far beyond this place. Can the noble Baroness tell the House whether any attempt is made to monitor or record comments from the public in reaction to the broadcasts and, if so, what use is made of that feedback?

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Bishop of Leeds asks about ethnic disparities in infant mortality rates

The Bishop of Leeds received the following written answer on 14th October 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report Infant Mortality in England published by Health Equity North in August; and what assessment they have made of the ethnic disparities in infant mortality rates in England set out in that report.

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Bishop of St Albans raises concerns on impact of growth of film industry in Hertfordshire

The Bishop of St Albans asked a question on the potential impact of the growth of the UK film industry on housing and public services in his diocese on 10th October 2024, following a government statement on support for the film industry:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, this is surely to be welcomed, and I think we are all delighted to hear these announcements, building on what has been said before. However, there is a deep concern in many parts of the country. In Hertfordshire, where I live, we have Elstree, Leavesden, the OMA V and the new studios being built in Broxbourne, and I have been privileged to visit some of those. Not only do we have the challenge of skills shortages for the film industry but we have a massive shortage already with the announcement on building extra houses. Can the Minister assure us that we are getting an integrated strategy, looking across the whole range of needs for skills, so that we can really get ahead of this game? Without that, we will have the facilities but simply not the people available to make the films.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about impact of VAT on school fees on SEND pupils

The Bishop of St Albans asked a question on the impact that imposing VAT on school fees would have on pupils with special educational needs and disabilities on 10th October 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: I wonder if I might press the Minister on SEND pupils. The majority of SEND pupils, who were mentioned by the noble Lord, Lord Black, do not have an education, health and care plan, and therefore there is a genuine worry that this policy might mean that their education is interrupted. What mitigating factors are His Majesty’s Government putting in place to ensure that this particularly vulnerable group is supported?

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Bishop of Oxford asks about community cohesion

The Bishop of Oxford asked a question on government efforts to encourage community cohesion on 8th October 2024, following a statement marking the anniversary of the October 7th attacks in Israel and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East:

The Lord Bishop of Oxford: My Lords, I thank the Minister for her very compassionate and clear Statement and the tone in which it was delivered. I also thank other noble Lords who have spoken and no doubt those who will speak about these terrible, terrible events and the effect they are having on our own communities.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about disability, international health cooperation, and vaccine access

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 7th October 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 5 August (HL273), when they will review their commitments in the Disability Action Plan, published on 5 February; and where they will publish their response.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about gambling data and arts & culture spending

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 7th October 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to support children growing up in households where an adult is experiencing problem gambling.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about visas for married people, driving test availability, tackling robbery, and rural crime

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 7th October 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government whether it remains their policy to increase the minimum income for spouse/partner visas to £38,700 by 2025.

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Bishop of Bristol asks about legal aid review

The Bishop of Bristol received the following written answer on7th October 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Bristol asked his Majesty’s Government whether they intend to continue the Review of Civil Legal Aid; and if so, when they intend to publish a final report.

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Bishop of Manchester asks about minimum income threshold for spousal and family visas

The Bishop of Manchester received the following written answers on 7th October 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to increase the minimum income threshold for applications for a (1) spousal, and (2) family, visa.

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