Crown Estate Bill: Bishop of Manchester supports amendment on fish-farming regulations

On 5th November 2024, the House of Lords debated amendments to the Crown Estate Bill. The Bishop of Manchester spoke in support of an amendment tabled by Lord Forsyth of Drumlean on regulations around salmon farming on the Estate:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, just briefly, I add to the wide range of support that the noble Lord, Lord Forsyth, has had on this amendment some from our Benches here.

Continue reading “Crown Estate Bill: Bishop of Manchester supports amendment on fish-farming regulations”

Votes: Crown Estate Bill

On 5th November 2024, the House of Lords debated the Crown Estate Bill. Votes were held on amendments to the bill, in which Bishops took part:

Continue reading “Votes: Crown Estate Bill”

Bishop of St Albans asks about effects of smartphones on young people’s mental health

The Bishop of St Albans asked a question on the mental health of young people and the potential effects of social media and smartphones, during a discussion on health-related benefits claims on 5th November 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I pick up the Minister’s reference to mental health. Some estimates suggest that up to two-thirds of those claiming incapacity benefits are doing so on the basis of mental health-related issues. Can the Minister tell us whether a focus on young people, in particular their use of things such as smartphones and social media, is being both researched and fed into the Government’s early intervention strategy?

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about effects of smartphones on young people’s mental health”

Bishop of St Albans asks about effects of new tax rules on farmers

The Bishop of St Albans asked a question on farmers concerns regarding new inheritance tax regulations on 5th November 2024, following repeat of a Commons Urgent Question on the effects of the budget on farming communities:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, can the Minister help us a little? The Treasury figures state that fewer than 25% of farm businesses will be affected by the changes to APR on inheritance tax. However, the NFU estimates that up to half of all working farms could be impacted by the new tax rules. Why is there such a large discrepancy? Can she help us to understand what is going on?

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about effects of new tax rules on farmers”

Bishop of Winchester asks about the prioritisation of freedom of religion or belief in Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

On 5th November 2024, the Bishop of Winchester received the following written answer:

The Lord Bishop of Winchester asked His Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on 18 October (HC8437), how many FCDO staff are dedicated to freedom of religion or belief and at what level of seniority.

Continue reading “Bishop of Winchester asks about the prioritisation of freedom of religion or belief in Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office”

Bishop of St Albans asks about access to fresh fruit and vegetables for those in lowest socioeconomic brackets

On 5th November 2024, the Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government, further to the British Medical Journal article Scurvy—a re-emerging disease with the rising cost of living and number of bariatric surgical procedures, published on 22 September, what steps they are taking to ensure those in lowest socioeconomic brackets have access to fresh fruit and vegetables.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about access to fresh fruit and vegetables for those in lowest socioeconomic brackets”

Bishop of St Albans asks about persecution of Christians in Iran

On 4th November 2024, the Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what recent representations they have made to the government of Iran regarding the persecution of Christians in that country.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about persecution of Christians in Iran”

Bishop of St Albans asks about assistance for Chad to support Sudanese refugees

On 4th November 2024, the Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what further steps they are taking to support Chad in coping with increasing numbers of Sudanese refugees.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about assistance for Chad to support Sudanese refugees”

Bishop of St Albans asks about fines imposed against gambling companies

On 4th November 2024, the Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government how many fines were imposed against gambling companies by the Gambling Commission for failing to meet their social responsibility obligations in (1) 2019, (2) 2020, (3) 2021, (4) 2022, (5) 2023, and (6) 2024.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about fines imposed against gambling companies”

Bishop of St Albans to ask about protection of the use of cash for everyday goods and services

On 4th November 2024, the Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to protect the use of cash in the purchasing of everyday goods and services.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans to ask about protection of the use of cash for everyday goods and services”