On 16th May 2018, Lord Roberts asked Her Majesty’s Government “what steps they are taking to improve the assessment of immigration applications by UK Visas and Immigration, given that 40 per cent of immigration appeals heard by the Immigration and Asylum Tribunals in 2016 were granted.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow up question.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, there has been much discussion about targets for the number of removals over the past few weeks, which we are all aware of. As the average length of time that these appeals are taking is increasing, is it not the case that we need some targets to reduce the length of time, because people are being left in limbo with their lives are on hold as these are going through?
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On 16th May 2018 the Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler received a written answer to a question on the costs of daycare for children: 
On 14th May Lord Cormack asked Her Majesty’s Government “what plans they have to assist England’s historic cathedrals.” The Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines, asked a follow-up question:
On 14th May the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, received a written answer to a question about emergency loans to British victims of forced marriage:
This week in the House of Lords bishops spoke in debates on the Scrap Metal Dealers Act, the current situation in Myanmar, the Refugee (Family Reunion) Bill and the Divorce (Financial Provision) Bill. They also responded to a Government statement on the Iran Nuclear Deal and asked a question about strengthening the family. Bishops also voted on amendments to the Government’s EU (Withdrawal) Bill. 
On the 11th May 2018 the Bishop of Chester, Rt Revd Peter Forster spoke during the Committee Stage debate of the Refugee (Family Reunion) Bill. Bishop Peter intervened during the debate on an amendment from Lord Marlesford to limit the number of family members who can be relocated. The Bishop disagreed with the amendment and believed it was drawn too narrowly. The amendment from Lord Marlesford was withdrawn at the end of the debate and the Bill will proceed to its next stage. The whole debate can be read at the link below.
On the 11th May 2018 the Bishop of Chester spoke during the second reading of Baroness Deech’s Divorce (Financial Provision) Bill. The Bishop spoke about the developments in the approach taken by the Church of England to divorce and supported the outline of the Bill. Bishop Peter highlighted concerns regarding areas of the Bill relating to children, premarital assets and the need for a more adequate safety net. Baroness Vere of Norbiton responded to the debate for the Government and her comments can be found below. The Bill was read a second time and has moved to Committee Stage.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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