Bishop of Durham tells Peers churches will be dealing with more children going hungry during school holidays

Bp Durham June 2015 bOn 25th June 2015 the Bishop of Durham, Rt Revd Paul Butler, followed a Ministerial statement on child poverty by asking a question of Government about children going hungry during school holidays.

The Lord Bishop of Durham: Will the Minister recognise that across the country, churches and other organisations reckon that they will be providing more help for holiday hunger this summer than ever before because of children going hungry during school holidays? Will she also recognise that there is a serious problem regionally and that we need to tackle this in the north more significantly than in the south? Continue reading “Bishop of Durham tells Peers churches will be dealing with more children going hungry during school holidays”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about Christians in Iraq and freedom of religion or belief

13.10 Bishop of CoventryThe Lord Bishop of Coventry To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the long-term future of Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq; and what steps they are taking to assist Iraq’s religious minorities. [HL551] Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about Christians in Iraq and freedom of religion or belief”

Bishop of Bristol calls for training for prison staff in mental health awareness

On the 24th June Lord Patel asked Her Majesty’s Government “what steps they are taking to achieve parity of esteem between mental health and physical health in prisons.” The Bishop of Bristol, Rt Revd Mike Hill, asked a supplementary question about mental health awareness training.Bishop of Bristol June 2015

The Lord Bishop of Bristol: My Lords, given the complex needs of so many prisoners and the fact that those needs have to be addressed consistently, does the Minister agree with me that the risks associated with such prisoners could be greatly reduced were all operational staff in prisons given training on mental health awareness?

Continue reading “Bishop of Bristol calls for training for prison staff in mental health awareness”

Bishop of Coventry asks Government about post-conflict and reconciliation work in Iraq

On 24th June 2015 the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, received two written answers on political reconciliation and post-conflict work in Iraq.


Bp Coventry May 2015The Lord Bishop of Coventry To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their most recent assessment of the steps taken by the government of Iraq to encourage political reconciliation and the move towards an inclusive framework of government in Iraq. [HL548] Continue reading “Bishop of Coventry asks Government about post-conflict and reconciliation work in Iraq”

Psychoactive Substances Bill – Committee Stage

On 23rd June 2015 the House of Lords considered the Government’s Psychoactive Substances Bill during its first day in committee. The Bishop of Bristol, Rt Revd Mike Hill, made a brief intervention during the debate on an amendment about legalisation of certain drugs, tabled by Lord Howarth of Newport. Continue reading “Psychoactive Substances Bill – Committee Stage”

Young people’s mental health – Bishop of Peterborough asks Government to explore impact of social media

On 23rd June 2015 Lord Storey asked Her Majesty’s Government “what plans they have to develop mental health services for pupils and young people.” The Bishop of Peterborough, Rt Revd Donald Allister, asked a further question:

14.02 PeterboroughThe Lord Bishop of Peterborough: My Lords, mental health cannot be considered in isolation from the rest of life. For example, a number of recent deaths of young people by suicide have been connected to their use of the internet or social media. Is the Minister prepared to work with the Department for Education, other education providers and others, to produce a rounded programme of support for the whole person in their context? Will he also indicate the Government’s support for the Online Safety Bill introduced by the noble Baroness, Lady Howe? Continue reading “Young people’s mental health – Bishop of Peterborough asks Government to explore impact of social media”

Bishop of Bristol asks Government about chaplaincy and palliative care

On 23rd June 2015 Lord Farmer asked Her Majesty’s Government “in the light of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s report Dying Without Dignity, what steps they are taking to ensure that everyone in need has access to good palliative care.” The Bishop of Bristol, Rt Revd Mike Hill, asked a further question about chaplaincy.

Bishop of Bristol June 2015

The Lord Bishop of Bristol: My Lords, given that both NICE and NHS England have commended the services of spiritual, pastoral and religious care in the care of all people and in delivering great services to patients, clients and staff, can the Minister give us any assurances that a chaplaincy will be funded, going forward, in all NHS facilities that provide palliative care?

Continue reading “Bishop of Bristol asks Government about chaplaincy and palliative care”

Government welcomes Lambeth Declaration on Climate Change – reply to Bishop of Salisbury

On 23rd June 2015 the Bishop of Salisbury, Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, received a written answer from Government that welcomed the Lambeth Declaration on Climate Change and the role of churches and faith communities in making a difference.

SalisburyThe Lord Bishop of Salisbury To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the Lambeth Declaration on Climate Change, signed by the leaders of the United Kingdom’s Christian and other faith communities and launched on 17 June. [HL655]

Continue reading “Government welcomes Lambeth Declaration on Climate Change – reply to Bishop of Salisbury”

Education and Adoption Bill – Speech by Caroline Spelman

Caroline SpelmanOn the 22nd June 2015 the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, spoke during the second reading debate of the Government’s Education and Adoption Bill. Emphasising the role of the Church of England in education, and welcoming the move towards more multi-academy trusts, Mrs Spelman sought assurances that the proposed new Government powers of intervention would not limit the Church’s ability to control its existing schools and promote new ones. Her speech is in full, below:

Continue reading “Education and Adoption Bill – Speech by Caroline Spelman”

Bishop of Chester asks Government about wind turbine subsidies

14.03 Bishop of ChesterOn the 22nd June 2015 the Bishop of Chester, Rt Revd Peter Forster, responded to a Government statement on wind turbines. The Bishop asked how long subsidies for wind turbines would be guaranteed. The full statement from the Government can be read here

Continue reading “Bishop of Chester asks Government about wind turbine subsidies”