On 5th January 2026, the House of Lords debated the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill. Votes were held on amendments to the bill, in which Bishops took part:
The Bishop of Chester asked a question on relation of family hubs to local and voluntary groups in communities, during a conversation on supporting parents in raising young children on 5th January 2026:
The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, can the Minister comment on the way in which these hubs will relate to voluntary groups? I warmly welcome the Question, which seems important, and the introduction of the hubs, but in an age when parenting can get increasingly lonely, the many voluntary groups that provide community are essential, if it takes a village to raise a child.
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The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham received the following written answer on 5th January 2025:
The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the closure of arts-based courses at universities and colleges on the culture and economy of towns and cities.
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The Bishop of Derby received the following written answer on 5th January 2025:
The Lord Bishop of Derby asked His Majesty’s Government whether they plan to issue statutory guidance to all statutory safeguarding partners, including police, local authorities and integrated care boards, for the criminal exploitation of children measures in the Crime and Policing Bill should the Bill receive Royal Assent; and if not, why not, and what steps they will take to clarify roles and responsibilities and embed best practice in safeguarding children from exploitation in that absence of that statutory guidance.
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The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 5th January 2026:
The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government, following the arrest of an archbishop in Armenia on 4 December, what assessment they have made of religious freedom in that country, and what discussions they have had with the government of Armenia about that issue.
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On 5th January 2026, the Bishop of Lincoln received the following written answers:
The Lord Bishop of Lincoln asked His Majesty’s Government:
The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answer on 5th January 2026:
The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government:
The Bishop of Derby joined in end of year tributes to the staff of the House of Lords and those who have retired in 2025:
The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I shall not detain the House long, but on behalf of these Benches I echo the appreciative comments that we have just heard from the Front Benches about all those who have retired, or are about to retire, as colleagues, working alongside us here. It is a real privilege to have the final opportunity on behalf of us all in your Lordships’ House to thank those who work with us, both front of house and behind the scenes, for their outstanding care and service in keeping this House and our work here running smoothly.
As we near the end of this year’s journey through Advent and approach Christmas, I know that all Members will join me in wishing not just each other but all our colleagues here a restorative recess. I pray that they may know the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the obedience of Joseph and Mary, and the peace of the Christ child this Christmas. Happy Christmas, and a good New Year when it comes.
On 18th December 2025, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha de Cordova MP, gave the following written answer to a question from an MP:
Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme
Mr Wil Forster MP (LD, Woking): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the end of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme on (a) Christ Church in Woking and (b) other community services run by Churches.
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The Bishop of Derby asked a question on ensuring pathways for women and girls to pursue careers in the tech field on 18th December 2025:
The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I warmly welcome the recent launch of the Women in Tech Taskforce and commend this Government on recognising the important contribution that women and girls make to the technology sector in particular. What steps are being taken to ensure that the TechYouth programme, part of the wider TechFirst programme, opens pathways to support and encourages young women and girls in further education and vocational training who are interested in pursuing apprenticeships and careers in this field?
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