Bishop of Southwark asks about improving access to help for victims of domestic violence in rural areas

On 24th May 2016 Baroness Stedman-Scott asked Her Majesty’s Government “what steps they are taking to help families in rural communities experiencing domestic abuse and other relationship problems.” The Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, asked a follow-up question:

SouthwarkThe Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, following on from that point about isolation, with rural areas often isolated from dedicated support services, local clergy can be particularly well placed to act as a conduit between victims and the relevant authorities. Can the Minister inform the House whether any steps are being taken to provide training to local professionals in rural communities, such as clergy and GPs, to help improve reporting and communication and to ensure that victims receive the help they need? Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks about improving access to help for victims of domestic violence in rural areas”

Queen’s Speech 2016: Bishop of Carlisle responds on international affairs and the armed forces

CarlisleOn 23rd May 2016 the Bishop of Carlisle, Rt Revd James Newcome, spoke in the second day of debate on the Queen’s Speech. He focused his response on the Government’s proposals to tackle tax evasion and extremism, as well as calling for a renewed focus on international development and the military covenant. The Minister of State for the Ministry of Defence, Earl Howe, responded on behalf of the Government.
 Continue reading “Queen’s Speech 2016: Bishop of Carlisle responds on international affairs and the armed forces”

Church of England Week in Westminster 16th-20th May 2016

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

Queens SpeechThis week saw the State Opening of Parliament, followed by the beginning of the formal debate on the Queen’s Speech. In the House of Lords bishops spoke on the subjects of welfare, children, adoption, and education. In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner proposed the loyal address on behalf of the House after the Queen’s Speech. A bill on fixed odds betting terminals was submitted to the Lords ballot for Private Member’s Bills by the Bishop of St Albans Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 16th-20th May 2016”

Queen’s Speech 2016: Bishop of Ely responds on academies, RE, universities and skills

On 19th May 2016 the Bishop of Ely, Rt Revd Stephen Conway, spoke in the first day of debate on the Queen’s Speech. He focused his response on the Government’s proposals for academies, universities and further education.

14.10.16 Bishop of Ely 1The Lord Bishop of Ely:  My Lords, I join the noble Lord, Lord Kirkwood, in thanking my fellow right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Durham for his speech. I join my right reverend friend in reminding the House that, in particular with children and young people, we are about ensuring their experience of love and the fullness of life. If you like, we are interested in human flourishing and community. That is the prism through which I will look at some of the direct provisions from the gracious Speech and the implications for future policy.

Research done already on the implications of what has been said by Ministers is that academisation will proceed very fully. The think tank CentreForum suggests that only about 3,000 free-standing schools might be left that are not academised in the future. I am concerned that we do not end up with thousands of outstanding schools going it alone. We need to ensure that all strong schools, in MATs or otherwise, support schools that are struggling. There is no way of flourishing that does not take in support for others.

Continue reading “Queen’s Speech 2016: Bishop of Ely responds on academies, RE, universities and skills”

Queen’s Speech 2016: Bishop of Durham responds on welfare, children and life chances

On 19th May 2016 the Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, spoke in the first day of debate on the Queen’s Speech. He focused his response on the Government’s life chances agenda, including poverty, children and welfare reform.

Bp Durham June 2015 bThe Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, the gracious Speech makes several commitments to improving life chances for the most disadvantaged. There is also a renewed commitment,

“to support the development of a Northern Powerhouse”.

It is in welcoming these that I shall make most of my remarks.

Children need the best possible start in life. They need to be loved and cared for above all else. Where this is best found in an adoptive family, seeing this established as well and as quickly as possible is important, so I welcome the proposed measures here and look forward to the details. For some, care ends up as the best loving option. We need to ensure that life chances for those in residential or foster care are as good as for all other children. When the time comes to leave care, it is often traumatic. A move to provide care leavers with a personal adviser until they are 25 is therefore a very welcome proposal. Continue reading “Queen’s Speech 2016: Bishop of Durham responds on welfare, children and life chances”

Church of England Week in Westminster, 9th-13th May 2016

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

St AlbansThis week bishops in the House of Lords asked questions on supporting unaccompanied child refugees, help for displaced people in Iraq and Syria, fly-tipping and voter turnout . A bishop also spoke in a debate on the Government’s Life Chances strategy. The 2015-16 parliamentary session has now ended. Parliament will return for the State Opening and Queen’s Speech on Wednesday 18th May. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 9th-13th May 2016”

Bishop of Southwark asks about help for displaced people in Iraq and Syria

On 12th May 2016 Baroness Sheehan asked Her Majesty’s Government “what evidence they have to support their claim that “pull factors” are responsible for the mass movement of people from the Middle East and North Africa in recent years.” The Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, asked a follow up question:

SouthwarkThe Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, what possibilities does Her Majesty’s Government see for effective governance in Libya and for the much-needed increase in giving by our international partners to maintain the displaced populations of Iraq and Syria, which will impact on the movement of people and, most importantly, make a positive contribution to their lives? Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks about help for displaced people in Iraq and Syria”

Bishop of St Albans asks about grassroots engagement to improve voter turnout

On 12th May 2016 Lord Kinnock asked Her Majesty’s Government “what steps they are taking to emphasise the importance to citizens, particularly young people, of registering to vote to enable them to participate in the referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union on 23 June.” The Bishop of St Albans asked a follow up question: 

St Albans 2The Lord Bishop of St Albans: In response to a previous debate, I worked with Bite The Ballot and got it into one of our church schools. The interesting thing for me was seeing not that people could not understand voting but that they did not know what difference it would make. Watching young people being taken through the process and the penny drop about the implications was fundamental. It seems to me that we need people to engage at the grassroots. What attempt is being made to use voluntary and charitable organisations, many of which—including the churches—have newspapers and all sorts of other publications and are in touch with millions of people, as a way of trying to raise the issue in the next month, as the noble Lord asked? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about grassroots engagement to improve voter turnout”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about action to prevent fly-tipping

On 12th May 2016 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received written answers to questions of Government about fly-tipping:

St Albans 2The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the levels of fly-tipping on private land across the UK in each of the last five years. [HL8278]

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Fly-tipping is unacceptable whether it occurs on public or private land, it spoils our enjoyment of the countryside, can harm human health and wildlife, and damage farming and rural tourism. It also undermines legitimate waste businesses where unscrupulous operators undercut those that operate within the law and is a drain on both local authorities and landowners that clear it up. Tackling this scourge and other forms of illegal waste activity is a priority for the Government. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about action to prevent fly-tipping”

Bishop of Truro – Government’s Life Chances Strategy needs to address food insecurity and young people’s mental health services

Bishop of Truro 20.6.13On 11th May 2016 Lord Farmer led a debate in the House of Lords on the motion “to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to deliver the Life Chances Strategy to transform the lives of the most disadvantaged people in Britain, as outlined by the Prime Minister on 11 January.” The Bishop of Truro, Rt Revd Tim Thornton, spoke during the  debate. The full text of his speech and extracts from the Minister’s reply are below.

The Lord Bishop of Truro: My Lords, I, too, congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Farmer, on securing this important debate. He kindly mentioned me in his introduction, and I probably ought to note that I once used to work in a college where, much later, he was on the governing body. He was also very sweet to mention that I might say something interesting. I find that most people look forward to what I have to say rather than look back on it. Continue reading “Bishop of Truro – Government’s Life Chances Strategy needs to address food insecurity and young people’s mental health services”