Bishop of Southwark pays tribute to retiring Clerk of the Parliaments

southwark-20feb17On 24th April 2017, Baroness Evans of Bowes Park led the House in paying tribute to the retiring Clerk of Parliaments, Sir David Beamish. The Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, spoke on behalf of the Lords Spiritual.

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, I warmly associate myself with the words of tribute already spoken and add my own on behalf of the Lords Spiritual. Sir David Beamish has combined wise counsel, trusty support and firm friendship for all on these Benches, and my colleagues and I have greatly benefited from his guidance. Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark pays tribute to retiring Clerk of the Parliaments”

Bishop of Chelmsford asks Government why no UK representatives attended nuclear weapon ban UN Conference

Chelmsford 251115On 24th April 2017, the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, received a written answer to a question on the UN Conference to Negotiate Ban on Nuclear Weapons.

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether their officials attended the UN Conference to negotiate a ban on nuclear weapons held in New York on 27 March; and if not, why not. [HL6462] Continue reading “Bishop of Chelmsford asks Government why no UK representatives attended nuclear weapon ban UN Conference”

Bishop of Durham asks Government about number of affected and poverty impact of two-child limit on benefits

durham-230117On 24th April 2017, the Bishop of Durham, the Rt Revd Paul Butler, received written answers to two questions on Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit: 

The Lord Bishop of Durham:

(i) To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many families will be affected by the introduction of the two-child limit on Child Tax Credit and the child element of Universal Credit in (1) 2017–18, (2) 2018–19, and (3) 2019–20. [HL6344]

(ii) To ask Her Majesty’s Government what projections they have made of the effect of introducing the two-child limit on Child Tax Credits and the child element of Universal Credit on the number of children in poverty, according to the income-based measures used in the official Households Below Average Income statistics. [HL6345] Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks Government about number of affected and poverty impact of two-child limit on benefits”

Bishop of Durham asks about support for stable elected Government in Lesotho

durham-230117-bOn 24th April 2017, the Bishop of Durham, the Rt Revd Paul Butler, received a written answer to a question on Lesotho:

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what support they are providing to Lesotho as a Commonwealth partner in establishing a stable elected government. [HL6497] Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about support for stable elected Government in Lesotho”

Church Commissioners: projects tackling homelessness

On 24th April 2017 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question from Kevin Foster MP about homelessness:

Kevin Foster MP: [71313] To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church of England is taking to support local projects tackling homelessness.

Dame Caroline Spelman: At parish and diocesan level the Church is closely involved in providing support to homeless people through night shelters and other activities, and raising funds and awareness. Recently in the House of Lords bishops supported the Homelessness Reduction Bill. Continue reading “Church Commissioners: projects tackling homelessness”

Bishop of Durham asks Government about childcare staffing levels

durham-230117On 24th April 2017, the Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, received a written answer to two questions on child day care.

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the increased number of childcare staff that will be required for the implementation of the 30 hours free childcare a week for three- and four-year-olds from September.

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for increasing the number of childcare staff by September to meet additional demand resulting from the implementation of the 30 hours free childcare a week for three- and four-year-olds. Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks Government about childcare staffing levels”

Church Commissioner questions – European Court ruling, marriage, vocations, metal theft, Christians in Africa, debt, domestic violence, Lords reform

On 20th April 2017 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered questions from MPs on the floor of the House of Commons, on religious symbols in the workplace, marriage, vocations, metal theft and Christians in Africa. She also answered written questions on debt, domestic violence and House of Lords reform:

Sir David Amess (Southend West) (Con): What assessment the Church of England has made of the implications of the European Court of Justice ruling of March 2017 on wearing religious dress and symbols in the workplace. [909693]

​The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Dame Caroline Spelman): The Church of England was very concerned by the judgment of the European Court of Justice that stated that blanket bans on the wearing of political, philosophical or religious signs do not amount to cases of direct discrimination, because that conflicts with the pre-existing rulings of the European Court of Human Rights. By leaving the European Union, we presumably stand some chance of resolving such inconsistencies. Continue reading “Church Commissioner questions – European Court ruling, marriage, vocations, metal theft, Christians in Africa, debt, domestic violence, Lords reform”

Bishop of Durham asks about childcare staffing levels

On 19th April 2017 the Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, received a written answer to a question on childcare:

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for increasing the number of childcare staff by September to meet additional demand resulting from the implementation of the 30 hours free childcare a week for three- and four-year-olds. Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about childcare staffing levels”

Church Commissioners: St Botolph, Peterborough

On 18th April 2017 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question from Stewart Jackson MP:

Mr Stewart Jackson: [70163]: To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what discussions she has had with the Diocese of Peterborough on the proposals for alterations to St Botolph’s Church in Longthorpe, Peterborough; and if she will make a statement.

Continue reading “Church Commissioners: St Botolph, Peterborough”

Week in Westminster, 3rd- 7th April 2017

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

This week in the House of Lords bishops supported amendments on tax transparency to the Government’s Criminal Finances Bill and on PSHE to the Children and Social Work Bill.  Bishops spoke in debates on eradicating diseases such as leprosy. Questions were asked about bereavement payments, rebuilding Syria, relationships support, prison suicides, in-work poverty, child poverty, the effect of gambling on children, Israel/Palestine and on hospital transport. Bishops also took part in votes on amendments to the Health Services Medical Supplies (Costs) Bill and on a regret motion to the Government’s Higher Education Regulations. The report was published of the House of Lords Committee on the Long-term Sustainability of the NHS, on which the Bishop of Carlisle had served. Continue reading “Week in Westminster, 3rd- 7th April 2017”