Bishop of St Albans leads debate on impact for rural communities of reduced bus services

On 24th November 2016 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, led a short debate in the House of Lords on rural bus services. His opening speech is below, along with the Minister’s response. The speeches of the other eight Peers who took part can be read here.

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of research published by the Local Government Association showing that subsidised bus services in England have reduced by more than 12% in the past year, what assessment they have made of the sustainability of rural communities.

St AlbansThe Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I thank all noble Lords contributing their considerable expertise to this debate, particularly the noble Lord, Lord Kirkhope, whose wealth of experience is a welcome addition to this House. I declare an interest as president of the Rural Coalition and bishop of a diocese with large rural areas, some of which have seen considerable cuts in bus service provision in recent years.

As many noble Lords in this House will know first-hand, rural bus services provide a lifeline for rural communities, creating vital routes of connection to other parts of the country. For anyone who struggles to drive themselves because of age or a disability, or because they do not have a car, buses are often the only means of transport that connects rural residents with work, friends and family. With an increasing number of local services cut from rural towns and larger villages, the need to be able to connect with urban areas only increases. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans leads debate on impact for rural communities of reduced bus services”

Bishop of Winchester asks Government about importance of friendship and self-image within teaching of sex and relationship education

winchester171116On 24th November 2016 Baroness Donaghy asked Her Majesty’s Government “whether they plan to make sex and relationship education part of the national curriculum.” The Bishop of Winchester, Rt Revd Tim Dakin, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Winchester: My Lords, does the Minister agree that it is important for such education to be about not just sex and sexuality but sex and relationships? Should such education therefore include wholesome friendships and relationships between the sexes, the importance—as already discussed—of guarding against abuse, and the vital need for young people to have a healthy self-identity? On the last point, I commend the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Gloucester on her work with children on body image. What steps will the Government take to incorporate such broader issues and concerns into any sex and relationships curriculum? Continue reading “Bishop of Winchester asks Government about importance of friendship and self-image within teaching of sex and relationship education”

Church Commissioner Questions – Christian persecution, church buildings, anti-Semitism, Christmas campaign

On 24th November 2016 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered questions from MPs on the persecution of Christians overseas, the Red Wednesday campaign, church buildings, anti-Semitism and the Church’s Christmas campaign: 

Caroline SpelmanChurch Commissioners. The right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, was asked—

Persecution of Christians

Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con):

What recent representations the Church of England has received on the persecution of Christians overseas. [907442]

The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Dame Caroline Spelman): The Church of England remains concerned about a number of religious minorities across the world, not just Christian ones. Recently, the Lord Bishop of Coventry travelled to northern Iraq to visit the Christians in Mosul because it is clear that questions remain about their continued safety and the need to make their homes and businesses safe if they are to sustain themselves there. Continue reading “Church Commissioner Questions – Christian persecution, church buildings, anti-Semitism, Christmas campaign”

Church Commissioners written answer: anti-Semitism

On 24th November 2016 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question from Karl McCartney MP on the action the church is taking to combat anti-Semitism: Continue reading “Church Commissioners written answer: anti-Semitism”

Church Commissioners written answer – Church land in Peterborough

On 24th November 2016 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, answered a written question from Stewart Jackson MP about church land in Peterborough: Continue reading “Church Commissioners written answer – Church land in Peterborough”

2016 Autumn Statement – Response from Bishop of Birmingham

david-urquhartResponding today (23rd November 2016) to the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, the Bishop of Birmingham, Rt. Revd David Urquhart, said:

The political turbulence of the past year and lower growth forecasts have meant the Chancellor has been given limited economic room for manoeuvre. But I welcome the emphasis in the Autumn Statement on long term stability, investment in innovation, in our national infrastructure and on supporting regional growth. To be a nation living within its means is an aspiration worth keeping, even if the revised figures for deficit reduction mean that the goal of its achievement has been moved slightly further away. Continue reading “2016 Autumn Statement – Response from Bishop of Birmingham”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about people displaced by conflict in Nigeria

Bp Coventry May 2015On 22nd November 2016 Baroness Cox asked Her Majesty’s Government “what assessment they have made of the continuing intercommunal conflicts in the northern and Middle Belt states of Nigeria; and what assistance they are providing for those displaced by these conflicts.” The Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, asked a follow-up question:

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: My Lords, my diocese is linked to the Anglican diocese of Kaduna, so I know something from the first-hand testimony of the bishop of the effects of communal violence in the Middle Belt states of Nigeria. Some very good reconciliation work is being undertaken there, as we have heard, and it is helpful to hear the assurance of the Minister on DfID funding for such projects. Perhaps I may ask her a little more specifically whether the Government are able to exert any influence on the Nigerian Government to ensure the return of land to communities that have been forcibly displaced. Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about people displaced by conflict in Nigeria”

Church of England Week in Westminster, 14th-18th November 2016

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

This week bishops in the House of Lords asked questions about social care and pressures on teachers and spoke in debates on child poverty, international students, and trade and development. Bishops also spoke in debate on a Private Member’s Bill about development aid and sponsored an amendment to the Government’s Policing and Crime Bill. In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner asked the DfID Secretary about development partnering with the Anglican Communion and answered a written question about land in Peterborough. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 14th-18th November 2016”

Bishop of Winchester welcomes Bill on aid target reporting

On 18th November 2016 the House of Lords considered the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) (Amendment) Bill [HL] at its Second Reading. This is a Private Member’s Bill tabled by Labour Peer Lord Lipsey. The Bishop of Winchester, Rt Revd Tim Dakin, spoke in the debate. Continue reading “Bishop of Winchester welcomes Bill on aid target reporting”

Bishop of Winchester on lifting people out of poverty through fairer trade agreements

On 17th November 2016 the House of Lords debated a motion from Liberal Democrat Peer Lord Chidgey, “to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the impact of Economic Partnership Agreements negotiated between the European Commission and economic regions of Africa on the agricultural economies of the African countries concerned.” The Bishop of Winchester, Rt Revd Tim Dakin, spoke in the debate:

Bishop of WinchesterThe Lord Bishop of Winchester: My Lords, I too thank the noble Lord, Lord Chidgey, for securing this debate. With Malawi on the brink of a major humanitarian crisis, there is no better time to highlight the challenges facing Africa today. I declare an interest as the chair of a small charity supporting education and development in Africa.

The welfare of the east African nations is of particular importance to me. I was born in Tanzania and spent some of my teenage years in Kenya. In the 1990s, I was the principal of a small college in Nairobi—indeed, we still keep a home situated on an old coffee farm near Thika. Through this previous experience and from regular visits, I have observed the finely balanced life which Kenyan agricultural workers live. Smallholdings are a significant element in the agricultural sector of Kenya. Many city dwellers also have a smallholding upcountry. A severe drought might mean the end of their children’s education. It may also result in families being unable to afford even the most basic medicines or in workers having to resort to desperate means of generating income to support their families.

Continue reading “Bishop of Winchester on lifting people out of poverty through fairer trade agreements”