Victims and Prisoners Bill: Bishop of Leicester supports aftercare provision for IPP prisoners

On 12th March 2024, the House of Lords debated the Victims and Prisoners Bill. The Bishop of Leicester spoke in support of amendments 165 & 166 to the bill, which would ensure provision of aftercare for those subject to IPP (Imprisonment for Public Protection) sentences:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, I support this group of amendments and it is a pleasure to follow noble Lords and benefit from their considerable wisdom—I am in awe of the learning and wisdom on display this evening. I do not want to repeat a lot of what has been said, so I will keep my speech very short.

I have one or two reflections on Amendments 165 and 166, to which my right reverend friend the Bishop of Gloucester has added her name. She is a regular visitor to prisons across the country and supports the network of chaplains in our prisons who have direct evidence in relation to the mental health of prisoners.

Continue reading “Victims and Prisoners Bill: Bishop of Leicester supports aftercare provision for IPP prisoners”

Bishop of Leicester asks about overseas debt management

The Bishop of Leicester asked a question on support for a joined up approach across government, civil society, charities & faith institutions to support lower and middle income countries in management of debt on 12th March 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, as a country we carry a weighty moral debt to many low and middle-income countries, given our history. This moral debt is borne by business as well as government, and indeed by charities and faith institutions. Will the Government revisit the International Development Committee’s report on debt relief and the evidence supplied by the Jubilee Debt Campaign and Make Poverty History, to consider again how all sectors may work together to ensure a joined-up approach to supporting these countries?

Continue reading “Bishop of Leicester asks about overseas debt management”

Bishop of Leicester asks about flexible work for unpaid carers

The Bishop of Leicester asked a question on the need for unpaid carers to have flexibility in their paid work on 12th March 2024, during a discussion on the development of a new national care strategy:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester: The Archbishops’ Commission on Reimagining Care, based on conversations with many unpaid carers, recommended that there should be a “New Deal” for carers including restorative breaks, financial support and support from employers, including paid leave and the right to request flexibility. Does the Minister agree that any future national care strategy should consider the need for unpaid carers to have flexibility in their paid work?

Continue reading “Bishop of Leicester asks about flexible work for unpaid carers”

Bishop of Chelmsford gives evidence to Home Affairs Select Committee on asylum decision-making and conversion to Christianity

On 12th March 2024 the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee held a one-off session on asylum decision-making and conversion to Christianity. The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Reverend Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, gave evidence in the second session alongside representatives from the Roman Catholic Church and Baptist Church. Dame Diana Johnson MP chaired the meeting.

Continue reading “Bishop of Chelmsford gives evidence to Home Affairs Select Committee on asylum decision-making and conversion to Christianity”

Bishop of St Albans asks about information on tankers in the English channel

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 12th March 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Gower on 14 February (HL2349), in what form the information on vessel transponders is collected; and where is it published.

Lord Douglas Miller (Con, DfT): The Government does not routinely collect information on vessel transponders.

Hansard

Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about effectives of dredging rivers and waterways

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham received the following written answer on 12th March 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of dredging rivers and waterways while balancing environmental and habitat considerations; and, in particular, what assessment they have made of how effective this would be for the River Trent.

Continue reading “Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about effectives of dredging rivers and waterways”

Bishop of St Albans asks about taxation of taxi and rideshare companies

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 12th March 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 13 February (HL2098), when the consultation on the Uber Britannia Ltd v Sefton MBC High Court ruling will be published.

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about taxation of taxi and rideshare companies”

Votes: Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill

On 11th March 2024, the House of Lords debated the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill. Votes were held on amendments to the bill, in which a Bishop took part:

Continue reading “Votes: Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill”

Bishop of Leicester asks about impact of the two-child benefit limit

The Bishop of Leicester asked a question on the impact of the two-child limit on families receiving child benefit payments on 11th March 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, there is strong evidence that in the early 2000s increases in child benefits led to an increase in the amount parents spent on fruit and vegetables and books and toys for their children. What assessment have the Government made of the impact of the two-child limit on benefits and, in particular, on the health and well-being of the 1.5 million children affected?

Continue reading “Bishop of Leicester asks about impact of the two-child benefit limit”

Bishop of Southwark takes part in debate marking International Women’s’ day

The Bishop of Southwark gave a speech during a debate to mark international women’s day on 8th March 2024, paying tribute to the women of the Bishops Benches and raising the impact of poverty on women in the UK and overseas:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Barran, for securing this important debate on International Women’s Day. I look forward to the maiden speech of the noble Baroness, Lady Casey of Blackstock.

It is my belief that the kingdom of God is a place of radical inclusion in which all are welcome and all shall flourish. I speak as the duty bishop today, but I am mindful of the determined advocates on this Bench, which include the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Gloucester, who is attending the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark takes part in debate marking International Women’s’ day”