Bishop of Leicester asks about engagement with work on debt cancellation

The Bishop of Leicester asked a question about the Jubilee 2000 Campaign on 17th July 2025, during a wider discussion on debt relief and cancelling international debt:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Jubilee 2000 campaign—a remarkable coming together of tens of millions of people from around the world, which led to around $130 billion of debt being cancelled across 36 countries. It allowed those countries to reinvest in education, healthcare and poverty alleviation. The Pope has also declared this year a year of Jubilee and set up a commission to look at international debt relief. What are the Government doing to learn from the Jubilee 2000 campaign and to engage with faith communities and charities working in this sector?

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Bishop of Chester introduced

On 17th July 2025, the Right Reverend Mark Tanner, the Bishop of Chester, was introduced to the House of Lords and took his seat on the Bishops’ Benches as a Lord Spiritual:

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Votes: Employment Rights Bill

On 16th July 2025, the House of Lords debated the Employment Rights Bill. Votes were held on an amendment to the bill, in which a Bishop took part:

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Bishop of Manchester asks about behaviour of overseas UK diplomats

The Bishop of Manchester asked a question on payment of fines and charges by UK diplomatic staff serving overseas on 16th July 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, it is tempting to suggest that when the American President arrives, we call them not charges but tariffs, as that seems to be a word he finds much more popular. More seriously, can the Minister assure us that, at the same time as we are trying to crack down on diplomats in this country, British diplomats and their staff overseas are correctly paying all fines, charges and other tariffs that they are supposed to pay?

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Bishop of Gloucester asks about trade with businesses based in settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answer on 16th July 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government what diplomatic support and business assistance they provide to UK-registered companies that trade in goods and services that facilitate and profit from the construction and growth of settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

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Bishop of Southwark asks about religious freedom in Armenia

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 16th July 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of arrests made in the Republic of Armenia of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan and Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan; and the impact the arrests may have on freedom of religion in Armenia.

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Votes: Renters Rights Bill

On 15th July 2025, the House of Lords debated the Renters Rights Bill. Votes were held on an amendment to the bill, in which a Bishop took part:

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Renters Rights Bill: Bishop of Manchester moves amendment on Decent Homes Standard

On 15th July 2025, the Bishop of Manchester moved his amendment 105 to the Renters Rights Bill, and spoke in support of two further amendments:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: 105: Clause 101, page 134, line 11, leave out from “(homelessness)” to end of line 13

Member’s explanatory statement: This amendment would make the Decent homes standard apply to all homeless temporary accommodation provided under the Housing Act 1996.

My Lords, I declare my interests as set out in the register. My wife and I own one apartment; it is in the West Midlands, and it is let out. Nothing in this amendment or any others in this group would provide me with any advantage that I can foresee.

Amendment 105 seeks to extend the decent homes standard to temporary accommodation. As I said in Committee—and hence I can be extremely brief today—those in temporary accommodation are among the most vulnerable in our society. They are already battling against major disadvantages, and being placed in properties that fail the standard simply adds to their burden.

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Bishop of Gloucester asks about conflict in Gaza and two-state solution

The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answers on 15th July 2025:

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

  • what assessment they have made of the attacks by Israel on the Al Ahli Hospital on 13 April and 5 June.
  • what assessment they have made of whether Palestinian armed groups are using hospitals and medical centres to shelter from attack.
  • whether they will advocate for an independent and thorough investigation of all Israeli attacks on hospitals, healthcare infrastructure and medical personnel in Gaza, and the alleged misuse of those facilities.
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Votes: Employment Rights Bill

On 14th July 2025, the House of Lords debated the Employment Rights Bill. Votes were held on amendments to the bill, in which a Bishop took part:

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