Bishop of Manchester asks about investment in educational transition points

The Bishop of Manchester asked a question on encouraging healthy management of educational transitions for children on 24 February 2026, following a government statement on the schools white paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, I declare an interest in that my diocese has more than 190 Church schools and we educate around 60,000 children, in the total roll across them. The Church of England has already officially welcomed the White Paper and these Benches echo that this evening.

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Votes: Tobacco and Vapes Bill

On 24th February 2026, the House of Lords debated the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. Votes were held on amendments to the bill, in which a Bishop took part:

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Bishop of Chester asks about investment in vocational partnerships and education

The Bishop of Chester asked a question on investment in vocational partnerships in prisons during a discussion on prison education on 24th February 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Chester: I was encouraged by the Minister’s previous comments. I was going to ask about vocational education and whether the impact of that is being measured. Clearly, all education matters. At a recent visit to HMP Styal, I was particularly impressed by the work of The Clink, which sadly has shut after 10 years. How can the Government invest better in partnerships in that vocational sphere?

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Church Commissioners Written Questions: Church of England Redress Scheme

On 24th February 2026, the Second Church Estates Commissioner gave the following written answer to a question from an MP:

Church of England

Julia Buckley MP (Lab, Shrewsbury): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, when the Church will be opening the Church of England Redress Scheme to applications.

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Bishop of Leicester asks about free school meal registration

The Bishop of Leicester received the following written answer on 23rd February 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of potential data processing measures to enable automatic registration for free school meals.

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Bishop of Lincoln asks about UK steel strategy

The Bishop of Lincoln received the following written answer on 23rd February 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Lincoln asked His Majesty’s Government what is the timeline for the publication of the steel strategy.

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Bishop of Southwark asks about reconstruction in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answers on 23rd February 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about the repair of graves in the Gaza war cemetery in al-Tuffah.

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Bishop of Norwich asks about steps to support international nature restoration

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answer on 23rd February 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich asked His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support international nature restoration, following their report National security assessment on global ecosystems, published on 20 January.

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Bishop of Norwich asks about funding of Israeli settlements

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answer on 23rd February 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich asked  His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the use of charitable funds originating from the UK being used to support and maintain illegal settlements in Palestine; and whether they will undertake a review of this practice.

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Church Commissioners Written Questions: Credit Unions

On 23rd February 2026, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following written answers to questions from an MP:

Church Commissioners: Credit Unions

Gareth Thomas MP (Lab, Harrow West): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, whether the Church will offer payroll deductions to all employees to enable them to join a credit union.

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