On 8th December 2023 the Archbishop of Canterbury led a debate in the House of Lords on the following motion:
The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury to move that this House takes note of ‘Love Matters’, the report of the Archbishops’ Commission on Families and Households.
The opening speech made by the Archbishop is below. More information and a copy of the report on which the debate was based, can be read here.
The Bishop of Worcester asked a question on the disapplication of the Human Rights Act in immigration enforcement, and the impact of this on clergy visas, on 7th December 2023, in response to a government statement on new legislation relating to the UK’s immigration partnership with Rwanda:
The Lord Bishop of Worcester: My Lords, I apologise for being slightly delayed for the consideration of this Statement. My understanding is that the Bill disapplies certain sections of the Human Rights Act 1998 to allow public authorities to operate in a way that is incompatible with international obligations. If that is the case, surely that means disregarding the human rights of people seeking asylum, and I struggle to see what human rights can mean if they are not conferred on all human beings. I will be grateful if the Minister can comment on that. I will also be grateful—as would all of us on these Benches—for some clarification of the status of tier 2 ministry religion visas, in light of the new financial threshold. Perhaps it would be possible to have a meeting about that.
Continue reading “Bishop of Worcester asks about impact of new immigration legislation regarding UK’s partnership with Rwanda”The Bishop of Worcester asked a question on the need for training for front line workers in government and essential services to support and recognise the mental health effects of financial stress and strain on 7th December 2023, following a discussion on the Trussell Trust’s recommendation of an essentials guarantee for benefits claimants:
The Lord Bishop of Worcester: My Lords, thinking of the effects of poverty, the Mental Health Foundation has recommended that all front-line workers, including those who work in essential services and government, should be given training and support to know how to respond effectively to the mental health effects of financial stress and strain. Will the Minister agree that this training and support is both vital and necessary?
Continue reading “Bishop of Worcester asks about need for specialised training to recognise mental health effects of financial strain for front line workers”The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 6th December 2023:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to strengthen the regulation of e-scooters and e-bikes following the 1,080 collisions and 7 deaths in the 12 months to June.
Lord Davies of Gower (Con, Department for Transport): The law is already clear, private e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads, cycle lanes or pavements and rental e-scooters may only be used within trial areas run by the Department. A range of motoring offences and penalties also already apply for using an e-scooter illegally and/or irresponsibly. Users can face criminal prosecution, a fixed penalty notice, points on their driving licence, and the e-scooter can be impounded.
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about regulation of e-scooters and e-bikes following accidents and deaths”On 6th December 2023, the House of Lords a motion to approve the Code of Practice on Reasonable Steps to be taken by a Trade Union (Minimum Service Levels). A vote was held on an amendment to the motion, in which a Bishop took part:
On 6th December 2023, he Bishop of St Albans asked a question on the collection of evidence regarding alleged violations of international law, following a Commons Urgent Question on the humanitarian situation in Gaza:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC has called for the collection of evidence where there are alleged violations of international law. What are His Majesty’s Government doing to help with the collection of any such evidence?
Continue reading “Bishop of Albans asks about efforts to collect evidence of violations of international law”The Bishop of Manchester asked a question on support for those unable to obtain mortgages for apartments due to issues of building safety, and tackling this barrier to home ownership, on 6th December 2023, during a discussion on falling rates of owner-occupation among people aged 25-34:
The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, in cities such as mine of Manchester and Salford, in terms of home ownership, many people in this age group aspire to an apartment yet, however many years we are on from the Grenfell fire disaster, too many properties still remain unmortgageable. I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Greenhalgh, for the support he has given to campaigners over the years, yet still people cannot get a property because they cannot get a mortgage on it. When will the Government put an end to this scandal?
Continue reading “Bishop of Manchester asks about support for those struggling to obtain mortgages on properties”
The Bishop of Durham received the following written answer on 6th December 2023:
The Lord Bishop of Durham asked His Majesty’s Government how many reports under (1) rule 32 of the Short-term Holding Facility Rules 2018, and (2) rule 35 of the Detention Centre Rules 2001, were issued in (a) 2021, (b) 2022, and (c) 2023; and how many led to the release of an individual detained after a detention review.
Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about medical examinations of individuals detained under immigration rules”The Bishop of Norwich asked a question in response to a government statement on levels of migration to the UK on 5th December 2023, bringing up the potential risks to the social care sector under new migration proposals, and the issue of workers in faith communities facing new barriers to entering the UK:
The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, I have three brief comments and questions. We know that there are 152,000 vacancies in social care in England, as reported by Skills for Care. This is of course a concern for the well-being of vulnerable people. The National Farmers’ Union reports a national shortage of 80,000 vacancies in the horticultural and agricultural sectors, but His Majesty’s Government estimate 40,000. This of course leads to a massive reduction in production and has an economic impact. As we know, this is further exacerbated in our rural communities. What conversations has the Minister had with these sectors about the risks inherent in their new policy?
Continue reading “Bishop of Norwich asks about risks to the social care sector and clergy visas under new migration proposals”On 5th December 2023, the Bishop of St Albans asked a question on the government’s assessment of reports of Russians arms being smuggled through Turkish ports
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, could the Minister comment on his department’s assessment of reports that not only has Turkey vastly increased its trade with Russia but that Turkish ports are being used for arms smuggling and, in some cases, exporting dual-purpose goods into Russia, thereby helping Russia? I wonder what the assessment is, and what we might be able to do about that.
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about reports of Russian arms and goods being smuggled through Turkish ports”
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