Church of England Week in Westminster, 11th – 15th April 2016

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

This week bishops in the House of Lords sponsored an amendment to the Government’s Housing Bill, and spoke during the debate on the Immigration, Energy and HS2 Bills. Bishops voted this week in divisions in the Housing and Immigration Bills and spoke during a debate on the Deloitte report ‘Technology and people: The great job-creating machine’.

The Bishops asked questions about credit unions, the Panama Papers, humanitarian aid, mental health and Regional Schools Commissioners. A number of written answers were also received  about Iraq and Syria.  Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 11th – 15th April 2016”

Bishop of Coventry questions the Government about the HS2 Bill

Bp Coventry May 2015

On the 14 April 2016 the Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth spoke during the second reading debate on the HS2 Bill. The Bishop spoke about the impact the line would have on his diocese, the local communities, environment and business. Lord Ahmad responded for the government and addressed some of the questions asked by the Bishop Christopher.

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Bishop of Coventry questions Government about Regional Schools Commissioners

Bp Coventry May 2015

On the 14th April 2016 the Lord Shipley asked the Government what plans they have to make Regional Schools Commissioners democratically accountable. The Bishop of Coventry the Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth asked a supplementary question about the factors Regional Schools Commissioners take into account when locating sponsors for a new school. 

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Housing and Planning Bill: Bishop of St Albans tables amendment on rural right to buy

On the 13th April 2016 the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, tabled an amendment to the Housing and Planning Bill that would prevent Right to Buy from occuring in rural areas unless rural replacements were guaranteed. Baroness Evans of Park responded on behalf of the government. The amendment was later withdrawn.

Bishop St Albans June 2015

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I rise to speak to Amendment 52, which is in my name and has the support of the noble Baroness, Lady Royall. I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Young, for his comments. I also want to note my support for Amendment 51, tabled by the noble Lords, Lord Kennedy and Lord Beecham, which would serve to better protect areas of high value, such as St Albans city and district in my own diocese, from a potential loss of social housing to other parts of the country. Continue reading “Housing and Planning Bill: Bishop of St Albans tables amendment on rural right to buy”

Bishop of Derby questions the drive for efficiency in the use of technology instead of assisting meaningful face-to-face pastoral engagement

Derby 191115c

On the 14th April 2014 the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Alastair Redfern spoke during a debate on the Deloitte report ‘Technology and people: The great job-creating machine published in August.’ Bishop Alastair spoke about the competing pressures of company supply chains and corporate responsibility, the values of society and the impact technology is having as efficiency cuts across the face-to-face pastoral engagement of professions such as healthcare. The Minister Baroness Neville-Rolfe responded for the Government and addressed a number of the questions highlighted by the Bishop.

Continue reading “Bishop of Derby questions the drive for efficiency in the use of technology instead of assisting meaningful face-to-face pastoral engagement”

Bishop of St Albans questions the availability of mental health care for young people

StAlbans171115On the 13th April 2016 Lord Harris of Haringey asked a question of the Government about the assessment they have made of the number of deaths amongst child and adolescent patients in psychiatric units, in the light of the investigation conducted by the charity Inquest. The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith asked a supplementary question about mental health care available to young people.

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Energy Bill: Bishop of Chester supports Commons amendment

ChesterOn 12th April 2016, the House of Lords discussed the amendments made by House of Commons to the Government’s Energy Bill. The House considered an amendment which transfers functions from the Secretary of State to the Oil and Gas Authority. The Bishop of Chester, Rt Revd Peter Forster, spoke in support of the amendment, for ‘limiting the function of the Oil and Gas Authority’.

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Bishop of Coventry argues for more humanitarian aid to be passed through local organisations

Bp Coventry May 2015On 12th April 2016, Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale asked the Government “who will represent the United Kingdom at the United Nations World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in May.” The Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, asked a supplementary question about the need to support local organisations when responding to a humanitarian crisis.

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Division: Immigration Bill

On 12th April 2016 the House of Lords considered the Government’s Immigration Bill at third reading. The Bishop of Chester took part in two votes that that took place on the Bill:

Continue reading “Division: Immigration Bill”

Bishop of Southwark: Written Question on Syrian Refugees

BishSouthwarktaxcreditsOn the 12th April 2016 the Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun received a written answer to a question about Syrian refugees.

 

 

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