Category: Questions

Oral & written questions in the Lords and Commons

Bishop of Bristol asks about rates of modern slavery referrals in the UK

The Bishop of Bristol received the following written answer on 4th March 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Bristol asked His Majesty’s Government:

  • how many individuals referred to the National Referral Mechanism for modern slavery after arriving in the UK irregularly since January 2022 have been given (1) a positive reasonable grounds decision, (2) a negative reasonable grounds decision, (3) a positive conclusive grounds decision, and (4) a negative conclusive grounds decision.
  • how many individuals referred to the National Referral Mechanism for modern slavery after arriving in the UK irregularly since January 2022 were referred because of (1) exploitation which happened in the UK, and (2) trafficking to the UK.
Continue reading “Bishop of Bristol asks about rates of modern slavery referrals in the UK”

Bishop of St Albans asks about recent statement by Bangladesh concerning Rohingya refugees

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 4th March 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Bangladesh in response to its statement on 7 February that it will not allow any more Rohingya refugees to enter the country.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about recent statement by Bangladesh concerning Rohingya refugees”

Bishop of Norwich responds to government statement on security of elected officials

The Bishop of Norwich spoke in response to a government statement on the security of elected representatives on 29th February 2024, asking how the model of disagreeing agreeably could be applied in government:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, I thank the Minister for repeating this important Statement. The protection that will be offered to our elected representatives is vital, because this is a period of time of immense concern. As has already been mentioned, the impact, particularly on women and women of UKME heritage, both in person and online, is deeply troubling, as is the abuse suffered by Muslim and Jewish colleagues. Anti-Semitism has been said to be a “light sleeper”, but it is very much wide awake at this time, and a lot of Islamophobia is built on immense ignorance and stereotyping of people.

Continue reading “Bishop of Norwich responds to government statement on security of elected officials”

Bishop of Leicester asks about difficulties involved in sending money to refugees in Sudan

The Bishop of Leicester asked a question about the difficulties involved transferring funds to Sudan to aid displaced refugees, in particular the Sudanese Archbishop of Khartoum, on 29th February 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, the Archbishop of Khartoum has been forced to leave his home, along with his family and many of his people; they are now living in exile in Port Sudan. The Church of England dioceses with links to Sudan have tried to transfer funds to support the archbishop and his people, only to discover that banks are either unwilling or unable to transfer funds to Sudan. What assessment have the Government made of the banks’ willingness or ability to transfer funds in support of people who are suffering so terribly?

Continue reading “Bishop of Leicester asks about difficulties involved in sending money to refugees in Sudan”

Bishop of Chelmsford asks about effect building a national park on Mount of Olives would have on Christian holy sites

The Bishop of Chelmsford asked a question on the potential impact the building a national park on the Mount of Olives would have on Christian holy sites on 29th February 2024, during a discussion on the Israeli prime minister ruling out a two state solution to the Israel/Palestine conflict:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford: Last year, it was reported that the Government of Israel were considering plans to build a national park on the Mount of Olives. Will the Minister say what assessment has been made of the impact of these proposals on the Christian holy sites in this area and the holy sites of other faith communities? What impact would such a project have on the prospect of Jerusalem as a shared capital for Israeli and Palestinian states?

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The right reverend Prelate has illustrated my point. Faith does provide a solution, as we have just seen in practical terms.

Continue reading “Bishop of Chelmsford asks about effect building a national park on Mount of Olives would have on Christian holy sites”

Bishop of St Albans asks about efforts to combat the spread of Dutch elm disease

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

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government whether they have made an assessment of the efficacy of sanitary felling in slowing the spread of Dutch elm disease

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about efforts to combat the spread of Dutch elm disease”

Bishop of Leeds asks about support for Russian anti-war organisations in the UK

The Bishop of Leeds asked a question on government efforts to help coordinate Russian anti-war organisations based in the UK, following a government statement on the conflict in Ukraine on 28th February 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, I am grateful for what the Minister has said. It is understandable that the murder of Alexei Navalny is commanding the headlines, but there are other opposition leaders, a number of whom are in prison and possibly facing the same fate as Navalny.

Continue reading “Bishop of Leeds asks about support for Russian anti-war organisations in the UK”

Archbishop of York asks about introduction of an essentials guarantee for benefits claimants

On 28th February 2024, the Archbishop of York asked a question on whether the government had assessed a recent proposal by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Trussell Trust for the introduction of an “essentials guarantee” to universal credit, during a discussion on the adequacy of the housing benefit subsidy for temporary accommodation:

The Lord Archbishop of York: My Lords, I thank the Minister for his commitment to trying to make headway on this issue. We are all aware of the terrible strains that local authorities are under because of temporary accommodation being necessary and, of course, we also know that the reason is that incomes are just not meeting housing needs. Have the Government assessed the recent proposal from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Trussell Trust for what they call an essentials guarantee? This would guarantee that universal credit was enough to cover the essentials—rent—which would therefore reduce the number of households in temporary accommodation, creating a virtuous cycle that would reduce the budget strain on local councils.

Continue reading “Archbishop of York asks about introduction of an essentials guarantee for benefits claimants”

Church Commissioners Written Questions: Church Finance

On 28th February 2024, Andrew Selous MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following written answer to a question from an MP:

Church of England: Finance

Mr Gregory Campbell MP (DUP, East Londonderry): To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, whether the Church plans to commission an independent review of funds allocated by the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board.

Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Questions: Church Finance”

Bishop of St Albans asks about support for farmers affected by Environmental Land Management Schemes

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 28th February 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what further steps they plan to take to support and protect upland and hill farmers to offset any loss of income they face under the new environmental land management schemes.

Lord Douglas-Miller (Con, DEFRA): Upland farmers play a vital role in managing some of our most important and iconic landscapes, which are valued and recognised by the public. In addition to farming, the management of upland landscapes can provide many environmental benefits and ecosystem services, including clean air and water, carbon sequestration and flood risk management.

Upland farmers are well placed to benefit from our Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes, which are designed to maintain sustainable, productive land which delivers for both farmers and the environment.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about support for farmers affected by Environmental Land Management Schemes”