Bishop of Durham asks about immigration detention and asylum

The Bishop of Durham received the following written answers on 29th November 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Durham asked  what steps they are taking over the immigration detention estate to ensure the use of force is continually monitored and recorded for all detainees, and particularly vulnerable adults and children.

Lord Sharpe Epsom (Con, Home Office): We will accept nothing but the highest standards from companies employed to manage the immigration removal estate.

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Bishop of Chelmsford asks about impact of the empty homes premium

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 29th November 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the empty homes premium since its introduction in 2013, with reference to the Local Government Association’s findings of 13 November that empty homes in England have risen by nearly 10 per cent in the past five years.

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Bishop of Chelmsford asks about success of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 28th November 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the success of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund in driving decarbonisation in the social housing sector.

(Lord Callanan, Con): The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) Wave 1 and 2.1 aim to install energy efficiency measures in up to 20,000 and 90,000 homes respectively. The latest statistics capturing progress across the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) are published on GOV.UK.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about contingency plans for grain shipments from Ukraine

On 28th November 2023, the Bishop of St Albans asked a question on contingency plans for grain shipping following an update on the conflict in Ukraine:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I was interested to hear the reference to the insurance for shipping. We are all aware, I think, of the vital importance of getting the grain out of Ukraine, both to support the Ukrainian economy and because it is making such a difference in feeding many parts of the world. Can the Minister tell us whether other contingency plans are being made in case shipping lanes get blocked again, and not least whether there other ways of getting grain out of Ukraine while we have the time to make those preparations?

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Coroners (Determination of Suicide) Bill: First Reading

On 28th November 2023, the Bishop of St Albans’ Private Members Bill, the Coroners (Determination of Suicide) Bill, was introduced in the House of Lords:

A Bill to require the coroner, following an inquest, to record an opinion as to the relevant factors in a case of death by suicide; and for connected purposes.

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I declare my interest as a vice-president of Peers for Gambling Reform.

The Bill was introduced by the Lord Bishop of St Albans, read a first time and ordered to be printed.

Hansard

Bishop of London asks about implementation of the Windrush Lessons Learned Review

The Bishop of London asked a question on implementation of the Windrush Lessons Learned Review on 28th November 2023, with regards to the establishment of a strategic race advisory board with a diverse and inclusive senior leadership team:

The Lord Bishop of London: My Lords, I thank the Minister for updating us on some of the recommendations from the Windrush Lessons Learned Review. I am particularly encouraged to hear that recommendation 27 in terms of the overarching strategic race advisory board has been implemented. Could the Minister update us on recommendation 26, around how they can demonstrate a diverse and inclusive senior leadership team?

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Bishop of Durham asks about family hub partnerships

The Bishop of Durham received the following written answer on 28th November 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Durham asked His Majesty’s Government what level of accountability local authorities have to His Majesty’s Government to ensure that they are meeting the expectation of partnering with the voluntary, community and faith sector in implementing family hubs.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about underage children working in delivery services

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 28th November 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to tackle the issue of underage children working as delivery app riders.

Lord Offord of Garvel (Con, Department for Business & Trade): In the UK children’s employment is regulated through national and local legislation.

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Votes: Motions to Regret – Age Assessments

On 27th November 2023, the House of Lords debated new regulations regarding Age Assessment as part of immigration control. Votes were held on two Motions to Regret regarding the regulations, in which a Bishop took part:

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Bishop of London speaks in debate on age-determination regulations in immigration enforcement

The Bishop of London spoke in a debate on a motion to approve the use of X-rays as age determining tools for individuals subject to immigration control on 27th November 2023, raising the issue of informed consent, and of potential lack of capacity to perform the required X-rays:

The Lord Bishop of London: My Lords, I promise that I will be brief. I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Brinton, for moving this regret amendment and thank all those who have spoken so far and so well. I thank the noble Lord, Lord Winston, for pointing out that this is not science; it is the use of scientific instruments. My two concerns relate to consent, as many have spoken about, and to the workforce.

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