On 30th January 2025, the Right Reverend Debbie Sellin, the Bishop of Peterborough, was introduced to the House of Lords and took her seat on the Bishops’ Benches as a Lord Spiritual:
Bishop of St Albans urges creation of new youth mobility scheme for UK and Europe
On 30th January 2025, the Bishop of St Albans led a debate on the case for a new youth mobility scheme with European countries:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans moved: That this House takes note of the case for a new youth mobility scheme with European countries.
My Lords, youth mobility schemes are a topical subject in this Parliament at the moment. A Private Member’s Bill on this very subject is making its way through the other place, which yesterday held a debate on youth mobility schemes with the EU. In this Chamber, we had a Question on it from the noble Lord, Lord Balfe, last week and a Question today from the noble Lord, Lord Liddle. I am aware that a number of noble Lords have already asked supplementaries and I look forward to the opportunity for them to develop some of those points more fully in this debate. In particular, I look forward to the maiden speech of the noble Lord, Lord Moraes.
I believe that the need for closer ties with our European neighbours is more pressing now than it has been for some time. There are many reasons for that, but, with the Ukrainian war and increasing geopolitical instability likely to exacerbate existing migration issues, the need for international co-operation is all the more important, especially with those countries that are quite literally our neighbours. I hope this debate will provide an opportunity to think how we might maximise the opportunities for our young people to experience study, work, leisure, sport, music and so on in the wider world beyond our shores.
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans urges creation of new youth mobility scheme for UK and Europe”Bishop of Gloucester asks about Israeli military activity in the West Bank
The Bishop of Gloucester asked a question on the intensification of Israeli military activity in the West Bank on 30th January 2025, following a government statement on the humanitarian situation in Gaza:
The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords, I am grateful for this Statement and thank the Minister for her sensitive and careful comments. Would she accept that, although the ceasefire agreement offers a glimmer of hope that a different future is possible, the situation in the West Bank continues to go from bad to worse? What assessment have the Government made of Israel’s intensification of military action in the West Bank? The fear held by many, including those on these Benches who have just returned from that region, is that this is a precursor to full or partial annexation. What is the Government’s strategy for dealing with the deteriorating situation in the West Bank?
Continue reading “Bishop of Gloucester asks about Israeli military activity in the West Bank”Bishop of Gloucester calls for inclusion of female Afghan leaders in international talks
The Bishop of Gloucester asked a question on the importance of including female Afghan leaders in international talks on the status of women and girls under Taliban rule in Afghanistan on 30th January 2025:
The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords, these measures are taken by men with an absolute lack of transparency and without any involvement of those concerned, and they are clearly aimed at excluding women and girls from public life. Following on from what has been said, are the Government actively meeting female Afghan leaders to hear their perspectives? Will the UK Government help female Afghans to be part of the international talks so that they are able to play a part in the future of the country?
Continue reading “Bishop of Gloucester calls for inclusion of female Afghan leaders in international talks”Bishop of St Albans asks about prevention of illegal beaver release
The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 30th January 2025:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to prevent the illegal release of beavers into the wild.
Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab, DEFRA): This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only.
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about prevention of illegal beaver release”Votes: Royal Albert Hall Bill
On 29th January 2025, the House of Lords debated the Royal Albert Hall Bill. Votes were held on an amendment to the bill, in which a Bishop took part:
National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill: Bishop of Southwark tables amendment
On 29th January 2025, the House of Lords debated the National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill in Grand Committee. Bishop of Southwark spoke to his amendment to the bill concerning the effects on transport provision for SEND children and their families:
The Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, I will speak to Amendment 67, which stands in my name. It is supported by the noble Lords, Lord Alton and Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, whose names were not entered in time for the Marshalled List.
I agree with much of what the noble Baroness, Lady Monckton of Dallington Forest, said in support of Amendments 14 and 27, in her name, and others concerning the provision of transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities—many years ago, my identical twin brother was one of them. My amendment has the same intention, albeit a slightly different effect.
Continue reading “National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill: Bishop of Southwark tables amendment”Bishop of Manchester highlights importance of clarity on definitions of terrorism
The Bishop of Manchester asked a question on definitions of terrorism on 29th January 2025, following a repeat of a Commons Urgent Question on the recent extremism review:
The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, I declare my interest as co-chair of the national police ethics committee. In your Lordships’ House next week, we will begin Committee on the very important Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill. Would the Minister agree that this is a time when we have to be absolutely clear what we mean by terrorism, so that we in this House can give that Bill the clear, in-depth scrutiny it requires?
Continue reading “Bishop of Manchester highlights importance of clarity on definitions of terrorism”Bishop of Manchester asks about support for building energy efficient homes
The Bishop of Manchester asked a question on support for housing associations in building energy efficient homes on 29th January 2025:
The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, I declare my interest as chair of a housing association. Housing associations are a key provider of homes for those who can least afford high energy bills. What support will there be for housing associations when they are bidding for grants to subsidise the properties they are building? It does cost that bit extra, maybe £5,000 or £6,000 per home, to build to the standards that we need to.
Continue reading “Bishop of Manchester asks about support for building energy efficient homes”Bishop of St Albans asks about use of unregulated epilepsy treatments
The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 29th January 2025:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of parents illegally accessing cannabinoid epilepsy treatments for their children.
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about use of unregulated epilepsy treatments”
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