Bishop of Coventry asks Government if freedom of religion or belief will be on 2018 Commonwealth Summit agenda

On the 18th July 2017, the Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received a written answer to a question about the agenda of the 2018 Commonwealth Summit

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to include freedom of religion or belief on the agenda of the 2018 Commonwealth Summit. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government if freedom of religion or belief will be on 2018 Commonwealth Summit agenda”

Bishop of Coventry asks about freedom of religion in Tajikistan following Haj pilgrimage age ban

Bp Coventry May 2015On the 18th July 2017, the Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received a written answer to a question about freedom of religion in Tajikistan.

Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, what assessment they have made of the government of Tajikistan’s commitment to freedom of religion or belief following the decision by the State Committee for Religious Affairs to ban anyone under the age of 40 from participating in the August Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. [HL430]

Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks about freedom of religion in Tajikistan following Haj pilgrimage age ban”

Bishop of Chester reflects on future of electricity supply

On the 17th July 2017, the Bishop of Chester, the Rt Rev Dr Peter Forster spoke in Lord Hollick’s debate to ‘takes note of the Report from the Economic Affairs Committee The Price of Power: Reforming the Electricity Market (2nd Report, Session 2016-17, HL Paper 113).’ He raised a number of points about the future of the energy market, including the importance of transparency and tackling fuel poverty.

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Bishop of Newcastle raises concerns around mental health in schools

On 17th July 2017, Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon asked “Her Majesty’s Government when they intend to bring forward proposals to reform Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services as outlined in their 2017 manifesto.” The Bishop of Newcastle, the Rt Rev Christine Hardman followed up with a question on mental health in schools. 

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Bishop of Southwark asks Government about Iraqi refugees fleeing Daesh

BishSouthwarktaxcreditsOn the 17th and 18th July 2017, the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received written answers to questions about Iraqi refugees fleeing Daesh and who are eligible for ressetlement under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme.

Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, what estimate they have made of the number of Iraqis that have fled Daesh in Iraq who are now refugees in countries bordering Syria. [HL704]

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Week in Westminster 10th-14th July 2017

Welcome to our weekly round up of activity in Parliament. This week bishops in the House of Lords spoke on UK national security, and the challenges facing the NHS after Brexit. Bishops also asked questions about modern slavery, religious freedom in Turkey, the case of Asia Bibi in Pakistan, the Central African Republic, the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Iraqi refugees, rural broadband and foodbank use.The Second Church Estates Commissioner also spoke about the humanitarian situation in Mosul and answered questions on camping in church buildings and bats in churches.  Continue reading “Week in Westminster 10th-14th July 2017”

Bishop of Southwark asks Government about Iraqi refugee numbers in UK

On 14th July 2017 the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received a written answer from Government about refugee resettlement numbers:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Iraqi refugees they have resettled since 2014 under (1) the Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme (VCRS), and (2) other global resettlement schemes such as Gateway and Mandate. Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks Government about Iraqi refugee numbers in UK”

Bishop of Leeds highlights rocketing number of food bank users in employment

On 13th July 2017,  Lord Bird asked the Government “what steps they are taking to prioritise their focus on the root causes of poverty and disadvantage.” The Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Rev. Nick Baines, asked a question in follow up.

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, does the Minister agree that there is a problem here, in that we want to applaud the employment figures released today but, at the same time, we need to recognise that it is people in employment who are using our food banks, where the numbers have rocketed in the last few years? Therefore, the simple statement that we applaud the rise in employment disguises a deeper problem.

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Bishop of Coventry asks Government about peace efforts in Central African Republic

On 13th July 2017, the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received a written answer to a question about the Central African Republic:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the peace accord between the government of the Central African Republic and 13 armed groups, signed in Rome on 19 June. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about peace efforts in Central African Republic”

Bishop of St Albans on the post-Brexit challenges for the NHS

St Albans 2On 12th July 2017, Lord Warner led a short debate in the House of Lords on the question:  “to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment have they made of the risks to NHS sustainability arising from the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union”. The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, contributed to the debate.

The Lord Bishop of St Albans My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Warner, for introducing this important topic for us this evening and for his helpful and comprehensive opening remarks.

Ensuring the sustainability of the NHS is undoubtedly a significant challenge, even before the potential consequences of Brexit are considered. The uncertainty surrounding the Brexit negotiations has created significant stress for many working in already pressurised health and social care systems.

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