Bishop of Norwich asks about involving faith communities in adult social care

The Bishop of Norwich asked a question on faith group, community, and voluntary sector involvement during a discussion on the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care on 9th March 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, in 2023, the Archbishops’ Commission on Reimagining Care encouraged a conversation not only between provider and recipient but with all those involved in care and support, to create rounded and fulfilled lives. That includes the voluntary sector, community groups and faith groups, which provide befriending and bereavement support and acts of worship in care homes. What plans does the Casey commission have to ensure that all parties participate in the national conversation mandated in its terms of reference?

Continue reading “Bishop of Norwich asks about involving faith communities in adult social care”

Bishop of Norwich asks about UK contribution towards COP goals

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answer on 9th March 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich asked His Majesty’s Government how they intend to support the COP29 Collective Quantified Goal of at least $300 billion per year from the developed world by 2035.

Continue reading “Bishop of Norwich asks about UK contribution towards COP goals”

Bishop of Southwark asks about funding of the BBC World Service

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 9th March 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the funding of the BBC World Service from 1 April 2026.

Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab, FCDO): Grant-in-Aid funding for the next three years for the BBC World Service will be decided through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office allocations process, and announced in advance of the 2026/27 financial year.

Hansard

Bishop of Derby asks about youth justice and sports provision

The Bishop of Derby received the following written answers on 9th March 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Derby asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sport and Physical Activity in the Criminal Justice System’s report Physical Activity and Sport across the Children and Young People Secure Estate, and Adult Custodial Estate in England and Wales, published in December 2025.

Continue reading “Bishop of Derby asks about youth justice and sports provision”

Bishop of Derby speaks in debate taking note of International Women’s Day

The Bishop of Derby spoke during a debate taking note of International Women’s Day on 6th March 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, it is an honour to speak today, and I particularly look forward to hearing so many maiden speeches. I have been reflecting on the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, “Give to gain”. A seat in your Lordships’ House is a powerful platform, but whatever voice or influence we may have, it is not for ourselves; it is to be used to secure gains for others.

Noble Lords will be aware that these Benches have made some progress in recent years toward gender parity. There are currently eight women on our Benches, soon to be nine—the highest number to date—and two former Lords spiritual. As the Church of England’s first female Bishop, I know that opening a door is both a powerful and a humbling act, particularly as we rejoice in the appointment and forthcoming installation of my noble friend, the most reverend Primate, our first female Archbishop of Canterbury.

Continue reading “Bishop of Derby speaks in debate taking note of International Women’s Day”

Bishop of Southwark asks about UK response to Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 6th March 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government

  • what assessment they have made of the impact that the construction of the E1 settlement to the east of Jerusalem will have on the on the prospect of an independent, viable and contiguous Palestinian State
  • what assessment have they made of the merits of imposing travel or economic sanctions on individuals or bodies involved in the planning and construction of the E1 settlement to the east of Jerusalem.
  • what assessment they have made of the merits of (1) reviewing existing trade ties with Israel, or (2) suspending the 2030 Roadmap for UK-Israel bilateral relations and imposing targeted sanctions upon Israel, because of the planned construction of the E1 settlement.
  • what representations they have made to the government of Israel over the seizure of the UNESCO archaeological site at Sebastia on the West Bank, including the traditional burial place of St John the Baptist, for the new Shomron National Park.
Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks about UK response to Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories”

Bishop of Leicester asks about welfare reform

The Bishop of Leicester asked a question on welfare reform during a discussion on the Access to Work Fund on 5th March 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, although I recognise that spending on Access to Work has increased in recent years and applaud the Government’s ambition to support more disabled people into work, this will most likely require more financial investment and more training of specialist staff. Therefore, have the Government assessed how their welfare reforms will affect demand for Access to Work and how the scheme can be strengthened to meet what may be an increased case load in coming years?

Continue reading “Bishop of Leicester asks about welfare reform”

Church Commissioners Written Questions: Churches (Listed Buildings), Safeguarding, Clergy, Bishops Disciplinary Proceedings

On 5th March 2026, the second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following written answers to questions from MPs:

Churches: Listed Buildings

Mr Gregory Campbell MP (DUP, East Londonderry): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, how many listed churches have been demolished in each of the last five years.

Continue reading “Church Commissioners Written Questions: Churches (Listed Buildings), Safeguarding, Clergy, Bishops Disciplinary Proceedings”

Announcement: Death of the Bishop of Guildford

The death of the Bishop of Guildford was announced in the House of Lords on 4th March 2026, following his death the day before:

The Lord Speaker: My Lords, I regret to inform the House of the death of the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Guildford on 3 March. On behalf of the House, I extend our condolences to the right reverend Prelate’s family and friends.

Hansard

Bishop of Leicester asks about English language teaching programmes

The Bishop of Leicester received the following written answer on 3rd March 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester asked His Majesty’s Government:

  • what assessment they have made of the impact on local authorities of funding changes for English for speakers of other languages programmes.
  • what steps they are taking to ensure that English language learning provision is accessible to those who require it, including individuals with no recourse to public funds.
Continue reading “Bishop of Leicester asks about English language teaching programmes”