On 7th March 2016 the House of Lords considered the Tax Credits (Income Thresholds and Determination of Rates) (Amendment) Regulations 2016. Continue reading “Division: Tax Credits (Income Thresholds and Determination of Rates) (Amendment) Regulations 2016”
Bishop of St Albans asks about localism and Starter Homes
On 7th March 2016, Lord Shipley asked the Government “what is their definition of affordable housing.” The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a supplementary question and Baroness Williams of Trafford responded. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about localism and Starter Homes”
Church of England Week in Westminster 29th February – 4th March 2016
Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.
This week bishops in the House of Lords spoke to and voted on amendments to the Government’s Welfare Reform and Work Bill and spoke in a debate on sustainable technology. They asked questions on refugees in Calais, Sudan, family reunification, affordable housing, Daesh, Iraqi refugees, Israel, and mental health and prisons. In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered questions on former bishop George Bell and spoke in a debate on the Churches Conservation Trust.
Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 29th February – 4th March 2016”
Bishop of St Albans – technological goods should be designed to last longer
On 3rd March 2016 the House of Lords considered a questions for short debate tabled by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to promote the principles of the circular economy, based on the re-use, repair, refurbishment and recycling of existing materials and products, to protect the environment, give new growth opportunities and avoid waste.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, spoke in the debate:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, my thanks also go to the noble Baroness, Lady Jones of Whitchurch, for this important debate on the circular economy.
I want to spend just a few moments highlighting the economic and environmental impact of planned obsolescence—this has already been referred to —particularly in technological goods, which we know is used by companies to drive growth and ensure a steady supply of return customers. It is a business model that relies on technological products needing to be upgraded and/or replaced at regular intervals, whether because they go out of fashion, have a limited lifespan, or are difficult or expensive to repair. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans – technological goods should be designed to last longer”
Bishop of St Albans asks Government to ensure new prison designs take account of mental health needs
On 3rd March 2016 Lord Marks of Henley-on-Thames asked Her Majesty’s Government “what steps they are taking to tackle the incidence of deaths, serious assaults and incidents of self-harm in prison.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow up question:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, in the light of the welcome announcement last autumn that a number of the old, unsuitable prisons were going to be replaced with purpose-built ones, will the Minister assure the House that the specifications for those new-builds will take very careful account of mental health issues, consulting with the charities that are dealing with this particular area and producing excellent educational, medical and spiritual facilities, so that we can minimise the level of mental health problems and maximise rehabilitation? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government to ensure new prison designs take account of mental health needs”
Bishop of Southwark asks Government about building of separation barrier by Israel in the Cremisan Valley
On 2nd March the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received two written answers to questions of Government on the building of a separation barrier by Israel in the Cremisan Valley:
The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel following its decision to start building the annexation wall in the Cremisan Valley, and in particular regarding building works on the privately owned land of Beir Onah in Beit Jala. [HL6278]
Bishop of Southwark asks Government about help for Iraqi refugees in Jordan
On 2nd March 2016 the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received answers to three written questions on the plight of Iraqi refugees in Jordan.
The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the conditions facing Iraqi refugees in Jordan. [HL6275]
Baroness Verma: The situation for many refugees in Jordan is challenging, irrespective of nationality. Services are provided by the international community and the Government of Jordan based on a system of prioritisation of the most vulnerable and Iraqi refugees are included in this system. Like all refugees, Iraqis are registered by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and access assistance from UN agencies, international NGOs and national NGOs. Partners assess vulnerability in Jordan at individual, community and household levels. These vulnerability assessments take into account positive coping strategies and support networks, which are understood to be better established among the Iraqi community, including through religious institutions such as mosques and churches. Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks Government about help for Iraqi refugees in Jordan”
Bishop of Southwark asks Government about Daesh presence in Gaza and West Bank
On 2nd March 2016 the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received an answer to a written question on Daesh in Gaza and the West Bank:
The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the presence of Daesh in Gaza and the West Bank. [HL6280]
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Government’s assessment is that there are groups and individuals in the West Bank and (primarily) in Gaza who sympathise with or self-identify as Daesh but are not formally affiliated with them. We remain concerned about a possible Daesh presence and continue to monitor the situation closely.
(via Parliament.uk)
Archbishop calls on Government to do more for unaccompanied children at Calais ‘Jungle’ camp
On 1st March 2016 Baroness Sheehan asked Her Majesty’s Government “what views they have expressed to the government of France about the bulldozing of the south section of the Calais “Jungle” camp.” The Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Revd & Rt Hon Justin Welby, asked a follow up question:
The Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, while we would all agree that the situation is difficult for the French authorities, I am sure we also feel that it is significantly more difficult for the 300 unaccompanied children. I recently visited the Marsh Academy near Romney Marsh and saw a school and community fostering and caring with the utmost compassion for significant numbers of unaccompanied children. Given that example, does the Minister agree that issues of compassion should easily trump those of administrative efficiency and tidiness, and narrow definitions of family links, and that we should, therefore, take more children very quickly?
Continue reading “Archbishop calls on Government to do more for unaccompanied children at Calais ‘Jungle’ camp”
Bishop of St Albans asks Government about affordable housing for those on low incomes
On 1st March 2016 Lord Kennedy of Southwark asked Her Majesty’s Government “what action they are taking to help people on the living wage in London to own their own homes.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow up question:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, there is much concern that the focus on starter homes could threaten the provision of alternative housing schemes that are more suitable for those on low incomes, such as shared ownership. Will the Minister assure the House that Her Majesty’s Government’s emphasis on these starter homes will be in addition to other affordable schemes such as shared ownership rather than replacing them?
The Church of England in Parliament 
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