Bishop of Hereford asks about financial impact of 2025 budget on music performances in churches

The Bishop of Hereford asked a question on the role of churches as music and performance venues, during a discussion on the impact of the 2025 budget on grassroots music venues on 26th January 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Hereford: My Lords, I thank the Minister for his answers. Across the country, churches provide the largest network of performance spaces available to professional and amateur groups for music making and other artistic endeavours, so I thank him for the recent announcement regarding the new places of worship renewal fund. But I am sure he will be aware that there are thousands of churches and other faith communities across the country waiting to know how that scheme will operate. Will the Minister let us know when the details of the scheme will be published and whether the Government will work with us to ensure the scheme is workable, consistent and fair, especially in the levying of VAT?

Lord Livermore (Lab, Treasury): I am grateful for the support that the right reverend Prelate set out in his question. I assure him that that will be responded to very shortly.

Hansard

Bishop of Southwark asks about Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 26th January 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 16 September 2025 (HL10149), what plans they have to disburse all the remaining funds in the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme by raising the cap on individual claims retrospectively in the final weeks of the scheme.

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Bishop of Gloucester asks about prisoner demographics and data

The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answers on 26th January 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government how many people of each ethnic group were in prison as of 30 September 2025 by religion.

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Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Bishop of Newcastle raises issue of eligibility criteria comparisons

The Bishop of Newcastle spoke during a debate on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on 23rd January 2026, pointing out the differences between the proposed eligibility criteria in the bill and the criteria used in Australia, in response to an earlier comparison of the two:

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle: My Lords, in his opening remarks, the noble Lord, Lord Birt, cited Australia. I am sure that he is aware that no Australian jurisdiction is recognised as one of the 10 comparable jurisdictions in the Bill’s eligibility criteria and the Government’s impact assessment. The most comparable are New Zealand and the United States. This discussion was resolved in our Select Committee by receiving evidence from New Zealand. We need to be consistent and mindful of the Government’s impact assessment and ensure that our comments align with it.

Hansard

Bishop of Leicester asks about youth work

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

The Lord Bishop of Leicester asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that the trusted adults targeted through the National Youth Strategy are trained and equipped to provide skilled work-readiness coaching for young people who are not in education, employment or training.

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Bishop of Newcastle speaks in debate on retail and hospitality sector, highlighting challenges in the North-east

The Bishop of Newcastle spoke in a debate on government policy on the retail and hospitality sector on 22nd January 2026, highlighting the challenges faced by the sector in the North-east of England:

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle: My Lords, it is a great honour to follow the noble Lord, Lord Forbes of Newcastle, and to welcome him to your Lordships’ House. I also extend a welcome to other noble Lords making their maiden speeches today.

I thank my friend, the noble Lord, Lord Forbes, for his excellent maiden speech. He made some immensely wise comments that superbly illustrate his capacity for, and commitment to, the work that he will undertake in this place. His mention of the values that have shaped his life are those that we should all aspire to and live out in our collective endeavours in this House. His calling our attention to the importance of inclusion is particularly vital.

The noble Lord’s years of dedicated service to local government and his commitment to creating thriving communities will greatly benefit this House. His lived experience, coupled with his kind heart, fierce mind and strong spirit, underpins his integrity, determination and resolve to seek the welfare of people and communities, especially those in deprivation. A keen listener and one who is ready to learn, he is well equipped for his new role in your Lordships’ House. I wish him well and look forward to working with him.

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Bishop of Sheffield asks about Goole and District Hospital

The Bishop of Sheffield received the following written answer on 22nd January 2026:

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

  • what consultations are underway with North Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust and local community members regarding the possible closure of Goole and District Hospital.
  • what assessment they have made of the availability and accessibility of high-quality healthcare services at Goole and District Hospital.
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Bishop of Sheffield asks about fees and charges for overseas students

The Bishop of Sheffield received the following written answer on 22nd January 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Sheffield asked His Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Malvern on 16 September 2025 (UIN HL10064), which higher education providers have been or will be consulted about the introduction of a levy on income from international students.

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Bishop of Leicester asks about youth employment schemes

The Bishop of Leicester received the following written answer on 22nd January 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester asked His Majesty’s Government what measures they have in place to ensure that the trial of new interventions within the Youth Trailblazers programme does not affect participation levels in existing employment programmes run by the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector which they have evaluated as effective.

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Votes: Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

On 21st January 2026, the House of Lords voted on amendments to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The Bishop of Manchester and the Bishop of Newcastle took part in votes:

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