Bishop of St Albans criticises appalling delay in bringing in stake reduction on betting machines

On 30th of October Lord Griffiths of Burry Port asked the Government  whether they will introduce legislation to reduce the maximum bet for fixed-odds betting machines to £2; and if so, when. The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow-up question:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: Many of us who have been speaking and campaigning on this issue were appalled yesterday to hear about the further time that it will take to implement this. These machines are predominantly found in the poorest areas. The research is quite clear: they cause huge poverty. On top of that, it is estimated that every day between one and two people commit suicide for gambling-related reasons. That is not only a huge social cost; it is a massive financial cost, far more than the £400 million relevant tax revenue that Her Majesty’s Government receive each year. Surely it is time to do this for the sake of everyone in our country. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans criticises appalling delay in bringing in stake reduction on betting machines”

Bishop of St Albans asks about link between suicides and gambling addiction

On 30th October 2018 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received a written answer from Government about suicides linked to problem gambling or gambling addiction:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the number of suicides that were linked to gambling addiction or problem gambling from 2010 till 2018. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about link between suicides and gambling addiction”

Bishop of Winchester questions Government about overcrowding on the railways

On the 29th of October Baroness Randerson asked an oral question in the House of  Lords about the steps the government were taking to modernise rail fares.  The Rt Revd Tim Dakin, Bishop of Winchester, asked a supplementary question: 

18.03.20 Winchester 2

The Lord Bishop of Winchester: My Lords, the modernising of rail fares is one aspect of a range of changes needed in our rail service. The Transport Secretary has announced £1.3 billion of investment in spacious trains yet despite this there is still overcrowding, cancellation and delay. Staff operating train services are also unhappy and just last week, on the South Western Railway line that I use regularly, I am afraid that there were regular cancellations and further overcrowding. Can the Minister outline what action will be taken between now and the implementation of the rail review reforms in 2020 to address the urgent issues of rail cancellations, delays and significant overcrowding?

Continue reading “Bishop of Winchester questions Government about overcrowding on the railways”

Week in Westminster, 22nd-26th October 2018

This week in the House of Lords the Bishop of Bristol was introduced as a new Member, and bishops asked questions about the impact of Brexit on food security and the impact of citizenship fees on children’s welfare. The Bishop of St Albans joined Peers in calling for the reduction in betting machine stakes to be introduced without further delay. The Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, led a debate in the House of Commons on allowing asylum seekers the right to work. Continue reading “Week in Westminster, 22nd-26th October 2018”

Vote: Ivory Bill

On 24th October 2018 Peers voted on amendments to the Government’s Ivory Bill. Lord Cormack moved an amendment to the Bill, which was not passed but was supported in the voting lobbies by the Bishop of Chester. Continue reading “Vote: Ivory Bill”

Bishop of St Albans letter in Financial Times – Reduce £100 betting machine stake without further delay

The following letter appeared in the Financial Times on 24th October 2018:

We refer to your report “ Hammond plan to lift offshore gaming tax deals tough hand for casino groups” (October 22) and write to you as members of the House of Lords from the Christian Churches and other established religious traditions, to urge the government to implement the reduction of the £100 stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) without delay. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans letter in Financial Times – Reduce £100 betting machine stake without further delay”

Bishop of Salisbury asks Government about impact of Brexit on food security

On 23rd October 2018 the Bishop of Salisbury, Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, asked a question on behalf of the Bishop of St Albans, on Brexit and food security. A transcript of the follow-up question and those of other Members is below:

Brexit: Food Security

Tabled by The Lord Bishop of St Albans

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of food security following Brexit.

The Lord Bishop of Salisbury: I beg leave to ask the Question in the name of the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of St Albans, who has been detained on other business.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Gardiner of Kimble) (Con): My Lords, Defra regularly assesses the security of food supply and has well-established relationships with industry on supply chain resilience. The UK has a high degree of food security, as shown by the UK Food Security Assessment. This is built on access to diverse sources of supply, including our domestic ​production. I declare my farming interests as set out in the register. Consumers will continue to have a wide choice of food after we leave the EU.

 

Continue reading “Bishop of Salisbury asks Government about impact of Brexit on food security”

Bishop of Ely asks Government about impact of citizenship fees on children’s welfare

On 23rd October 2018 Baroness Lister of Burtersett asked Her Majesty’s Government ‘what assessment they have made of the impact on children of the £1,012 fee to apply to register their entitlement to British citizenship.’ The Bishop of Ely, Rt Revd Stephen Conway asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Ely: My Lords, has the Minister been in contact with the many school leaders who say that there are issues not only around identity, but around the economic harm done to children through food insecurity and their basic needs not being met? I wonder whether, even ahead of the review, an undertaking might be given to waive fees for the poorest children, particularly those who are looked after. Continue reading “Bishop of Ely asks Government about impact of citizenship fees on children’s welfare”

Introduction of the Bishop of Bristol

On 23rd October 2018 the Bishop of Bristol, Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, was introduced to the House of Lords, and took her seat. Her sponsors were the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Salisbury.

Hansard records the introduction as:

23 October 2018 
2.38 pm

Vivienne Frances, Lord Bishop of Bristol, was introduced and took the oath, supported by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Salisbury, and signed an undertaking to abide by the Code of Conduct.

Week in Westminster, 15th-19th October 2018

This week in the House of Lords bishops spoke in debates on religious intolerance and prejudice, and on music education. They asked questions about prisoner activities, Yorkshire devolution, Brexit, religious literacy in asylum claim processing, Burundi, and cases of sexual abuse.  In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered questions on Wonga, religious freedom, community use of churchyards, First World War commemorations, social housing, Salisbury Cathedral properties, and diversity in church leadership.
Continue reading “Week in Westminster, 15th-19th October 2018”