Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about effects of COVID-19 pandemic on educational attainment

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked a question on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the educational needs of SEN children on 22nd May 2024, during a discussion on the effects of the pandemic on educational attainment for UK schoolchildren:

The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham: My Lords, head teachers in my diocese in Nottinghamshire are reporting that the adverse impacts of the pandemic include a dramatic increase in attendance concerns, parental anxiety and pupils’ mental health difficulties. At the same time, they are reporting severe pressures on schools funding, leading to staff reductions, which cannot be in the best interests of children, especially where SEN provision is reduced. What assessment have His Majesty’s Government made of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the educational needs of SEN children, and what more can be done to mitigate this?

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Bishop of St Albans asks about steps to improve women’s health and wellbeing in the UK

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 22nd May 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government, following the publication of the Hologic Global Women’s Health Index which indicated that British women are sadder and more stressed than their European counterparts, what steps they are taking to improve women’s health and wellbeing.

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Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about government priorities for working with South Africa following election

On 21st May 2024, the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham tabled a question to the foreign secretary on government priorities for working with South Africa following their forthcoming general election:

The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs what are his priorities for working with the government of South Africa after their forthcoming general election.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about monitoring of environmental effects of agricultural runoff into rivers

The Bishop of St Albans asked a question on the impact of run off into rivers from agricultural land, during a discussion on the possible failure of Thames Water and other water companies on 21st May 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, could the Minister reassure the House that should any of the water companies fail, the ongoing monitoring of, for example, run-off from agricultural land—which is devastating many of our rivers, including the important chalk streams in Hertfordshire in my diocese—will continue, that we will continue to seek to find improvements, and that no momentum will be lost?

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Bishop of St Albans asks about damage caused by use of sling-shots in rural areas

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 21st May 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that slingshots are being used to cause damage to vehicles and local wildlife in rural areas.

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Bishop of Leeds asks about funding to address food insecurity in Sudan and neighbouring countries

The Bishop of Leeds received the following written answer on 21st May 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds asked His Majesty’s Government whether they will increase multi-year funding to support the most food-insecure people in Sudan and Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about improving conditions for workers on zero-hours contracts

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 21st May 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Resolution Foundation report Firm foundations: Understanding why employers use flexible contracts, published on 25 April; and what steps they will take to improve situations for zero-hours contract workers.

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Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about role of chaplains in the armed forces

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked a question on the role of chaplains within the armed forces on 20th May 2024, during a discussion on land war readiness:

The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham: My Lords, there are 280 regular chaplains serving in the Armed Forces, including more than 150 from the Church of England, and they are working closely with the wider Church to build strong partnerships, which would be essential in the event of a major deployment.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about drug shortages in pharmacies

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 20th May 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the (1) level, and (2) geographical distribution, of drug shortages in pharmacies.

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Bishop of Newcastle asks about protection of heritage and community sites from coastal erosion

The Bishop of Newcastle received the following written answer on 20th May 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle asked His Majesty’s Government what funding, other than flood and coastal erosion risk management grant-in-aid, they make available to protect heritage assets and community spaces at risk from coastal erosion.

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