On 17th November, the House of Lords debated Commons Reasons and Amendments to the Employment Rights Bill. Votes were held on further amendments to the Bill, in which a Bishop took part:
Votes: Employment Rights Bill
Bishop of Winchester asks about religious freedom in India
The Bishop of Winchester received the following written answer on 17th November 2025:
The Lord Bishop of Winchester asked His Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of India regarding freedom of religion or belief in that country, and what other steps they are taking to support freedom of religion or belief there.
Continue reading “Bishop of Winchester asks about religious freedom in India”Bishop of London asks about engagement with communities affected by Coronavirus pandemic
The Bishop of London asked a question on engagement with communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic on 13th November 2025, during a discussion on commemoration of the pandemic:
The Lord Bishop of London: My Lords, I add my condolences and prayers to those who lost somebody during Covid, particularly those in the Chamber. I also recognise the hard work of the noble Baroness, Lady Morgan, and the commission. What effort is being made on ongoing engagement with communities to rebuild trust in public services, including the health service, which was lost during Covid?
Continue reading “Bishop of London asks about engagement with communities affected by Coronavirus pandemic”Bishop of London asks about support for local authorities caring for adults with learning disabilities
The Bishop of London asked a question on support for local authorities in caring for adults with learning disabilities on 13th November 2025, during a discussion on the Learning Disabilities Mortality Review Reports:
The Lord Bishop of London: My Lords, according to the learning disabilities mortality review of adults with a learning disability who died in 2023, 25.6% had a care package that did not meet their needs. We know that local authorities continue to face significant challenges to providing adult social care services. Can the Minister say what action the Government are taking to support local authorities as they respond to more complex needs to make sure that every person, including those with learning disabilities, has the correct care plan?
Continue reading “Bishop of London asks about support for local authorities caring for adults with learning disabilities”Bishop of Leicester asks about impact of benefit sanctions
The Bishop of Leicester received the following written answer on 13th November 2025:
The Bishop of Leicester asked His Majesty’s Government what recent assessment they have made of the impact of benefit sanctions on (1) the mental health of claimants, (2) levels of household debt, and (3) food bank use.
Continue reading “Bishop of Leicester asks about impact of benefit sanctions”Sentencing Bill: Bishop of Gloucester questions lack of long-term planning in bill
On 12th November 2025, the Bishop of Gloucester spoke at the second reading of the Sentencing Bill, expressing concern at the lack of comprehensive long term planning in the legislation:
The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords, I declare an interest as Anglican bishop to His Majesty’s prisons in England and Wales. I, too, pay tribute to the late Baroness Newlove, not least in her role as Victims’ Commissioner. I want to echo so much of what the noble Lord, Lord Beith, and the noble and learned Lord, Lord Burnett, have just said, which has lifted my spirits.
There is much to welcome in this Bill. For example, as has been said, we know in general that short custodial sentences do more harm than good, so I am delighted that we are now seeing some evidence-based policy-making rather than policy shaped by media headlines. We also need to clarify our long-term vision and aims. As a Christian, I believe that every human being is made in the image of God and is created to live in interdependent relationship, and broken relationship sits at the heart of all brokenness. Strong relationship sits at the heart of all that is good and transformative. I thank the Minister for his introduction, but I am dismayed that we are setting the context of this Bill as overcrowded prisons and a current crisis. Surely our long-term vision and big picture is not simply about more prisons or even decent prisons, but ultimately about strengthening communities so that people flourish in a network of healthy and safe relationships.
Continue reading “Sentencing Bill: Bishop of Gloucester questions lack of long-term planning in bill”Bishop of Leicester asks about important role of the BBC World Service
The Bishop of Leicester asked a question on the important role of the BBC in providing trusted information through the BBC World Service Programme on 12th November 2025, during a discussion on recent changes in leadership at the BBC:
The Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, I have just returned from a visit to a country in west Africa that I know very well, and which has sadly suffered a number of coups in recent years. However, I can testify first-hand that the role of the BBC in such situations is highly regarded. In a situation where people do not know where to turn to find out what is happening around them, and where there are huge amounts of fear and anxiety, it is to the BBC that they turn to find out what is happening. I believe that remains true today, even in the face of mistakes that have been made. Can the Minister reassure us that the BBC will continue to have the people and resources needed to play this vital role internationally?
Continue reading “Bishop of Leicester asks about important role of the BBC World Service”Bishop of London asks about data collection on telemedical abortions
The Bishop of London asked a question on collection of data on the provision of telemedical abortions on 12th November 2025:
The Lord Bishop of London: My Lords, the extension of the regulations to enable early medical abortion to be provided without requiring in-person medical consultation was a significant change. We have heard about the tragic cases of early medical abortion pills being provided outside the law and women being put at risk as a result. We are now three years on from this change. What data has been collected in that time and what does it tell us about the workability of the new system in providing safe abortions within the law?
Baroness Merron (Lab, DHSC): The data available does not point to concerns about the provision of telemedicine. I should emphasise that, of course, abortions can take place only in an NHS hospital, in a place approved by the Secretary of State, or via telemedicine at the woman’s usual place of residence. Approval has to be given by the Secretary of State, and there is inspection by the Care Quality Commission, which inspects providers. The data thus far does not flag a difficulty in respect of telemedicine. In fact, all aspects of this are saying that this ensures that this safe procedure is assisting the situation for the women concerned.
Church Commissioners Written Questions: Armed Forces – Ukraine
On 12th November 2025, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following written answer to a question from an MP:
Armed Forces: Ukraine
Mark Pritchard MP (Con, The Wrekin): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what support the Church of England is providing to military chaplaincy training in Ukraine.
Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Questions: Armed Forces – Ukraine”Bishop of Leicester asks about benefit sanctions
The Bishop of Leicester received the following written answer on 12th November 2025:
The Lord Bishop of Leicester asked His Majesty’s Government what recent assessment they have made of the effectiveness of benefit sanctions in supporting claimants into sustained employment.
Continue reading “Bishop of Leicester asks about benefit sanctions”
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