Bishop of Sheffield asks about guardianship scheme for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children

The Bishop of Sheffield asked a question on the possible introduction of a guardianship scheme for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children on 26th March 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Sheffield: My Lords, I declare an interest as the patron of ASSIST Sheffield, a charity which supports refugees and asylum seekers in our city of sanctuary. What consideration has the Minister given to the introduction of a guardianship scheme, such as the one piloted in Scotland, to provide specialist support to unaccompanied children seeking asylum—not least given their acute vulnerability if accommodated in hotels?

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Bishop of Sheffield asks about investment in Doncaster-Sheffield airport

The Bishop of Sheffield asked a question on investment in Doncaster Sheffield airport on 26th March 2025, during a discussion on the recent closure of Heathrow airport due to a electricity substation fire

The Lord Bishop of Sheffield: My Lords, last week’s events surely demonstrate how urgently we need strong regional transport infrastructure to complement and supplement airports in and around London. To that end, I am deeply grateful to the Government for their public commitment to the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport. At the risk of a different stretch, can the Minister reassure the House that the Government will deliver on that commitment by ensuring adequate financial investment to support the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and the City of Doncaster Council in getting flights off the ground once again?

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Bishop of St Albans asks about investment in rural areas

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 26th March 2025:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government  further to the Written Answer from Baroness Gustafsson on 11 March (HL5279):

  • which rural partners they are engaging with as they design the industrial strategy.
  • whether they are meeting rural partners to discuss the industrial strategy; and if so, which rural partners they have met so far.
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Bishop of St Albans asks about proposal to set up a gambling ombudsman

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 26th March 2025:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made on the proposal to deliver a gambling ombudsman, as set out in the White Paper High stakes: gambling reform for the digital age, published 27 April 2023.

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Bishop of St Albans asks about use of nicotine pouches

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 26th March 2025:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government:

  • what assessment they have made of the number of children and young people using nicotine pouches.
  • what assessment they have made of the health implications of using nicotine pouches, particularly for oral health.
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Bishop of St Albans asks about communication with coroners following deaths related to gambling

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 25th March 2025:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that relevant information is shared with coroners investigating gambling-related deaths regarding concerns identified and action taken by the Gambling Commission during the period being investigated at inquest.

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Bishop of Gloucester asks about support for families engaging in guardianship and adoption

The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answer on 25th March 2025:

The Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government:

  • what steps they are taking to support families who are seeking therapeutic support from the adoption and special guardianship support fund beyond the financial year 2025–26.
  • what assessment they have made of the potential benefits of making the adoption and special guardianship support fund permanent. [HL5669]
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Bishop of Manchester asks about situation in the West Bank

The Bishop of Manchester asked a question on the situation in the West Bank on 24th March 2025, following a government statement on the conflict in Gaza:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: I am very grateful for the Statement that was brought to this House today. From these Benches, I echo the comments that noble Lords have made about the fact that Hamas must have no part in any future government of the Palestinian territories or any future Palestinian state. Every time the situation in Gaza has become more warlike, under the fog of that war there have been atrocities committed in the West Bank. Some of the more extreme settler movements are trying to oust Palestinian farming families from territories that everybody accepts are theirs by right. What can His Majesty’s Government do to ensure that we do not lose sight of the West Bank at this time when, quite rightly, there is a proper focus on Gaza?

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Votes: National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill

On 24th March 2025, the House of Lords debated the National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill. Votes were held on amendments to the bill, in which a Bishop took part:

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Bishop of Gloucester asks about licence conditions for those under Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences

The Bishop of Gloucester asked a question on communication around termination of licence conditions during a discussion on those under Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences on 24th March 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords, taking into account what has been said already, I welcome the enactment of the provisions in the Victims and Prisoners Act, passed by the last Government, allowing termination of licence conditions for IPP prisoners. However, there are huge legal complexities involved, so I wonder what steps the Government are taking to ensure that those eligible to terminate their licence conditions actually understand their rights and are able to exercise them.

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