Bishop of Newcastle raises concerns about unemployment levels in North East

On 15th January 2014, Lord Holmes of Richmond asked Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of people in full-time employment in the United Kingdom.
14.03 Bishop of NewcastleThe Bishop of Newcastle asked a supplementary question:

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle: My Lords, the Minister will be aware that there are still significant regional differences in unemployment levels in the UK. Can he tell us what regional policies the Government may have in mind to help the situation in areas such as the one where I live, in the north-east of England, where unemployment levels are still in double figures?

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Votes – Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill

House of Lords Division Lobby
House of Lords Division Lobby

On 13th and 15th January 2014, two bishops took part in votes on amendments to the Government’s Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill, during its Report Stage.

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Bishop of St Albans receieves answers to questions on forestry and housing (Written Questions)

14.03 Bishop of St AlbansOn 15th January 2014, the Lord Bishop of St Albans received answers to four written questions, on the Forestry and Woodlands Advisory Committee and discretionary housing payments.

Forestry and Woodlands Advisory Committee

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are taking steps to ensure that the collective knowledge and experience of Regional Advisory Committee staff is being retained within the new Forestry and Woodlands Advisory Committees.

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BISHOP’S PALACE IN WELLS and Churches in Rural Areas: Church Commissioners’ Written Answers

On 14th January 2014, Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry MP, answered written questions from Tessa Munt MP and Anne McIntosh MP, on the Bishop’s Palace in Wells, and churches in rural areas.

Tony Baldry MP

Bishop of Bath and Wells

Tessa Munt: To ask the right hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, what the reasons are for the Church Commissioners’ decision to purchase alternative accommodation for the Bishop of Bath and Wells.

Sir Tony Baldry: The Church Commissioners have always kept under review the suitability of its houses to meet the needs of a diocesan bishop and facilitate his mission. In the case of the Palace at Wells, the Commissioners concluded that more suitable arrangements could be made for the ministry and living conditions of the new Bishop if he were not to live in the Palace, which is operated by the Palace Trust as a visitor attraction. The Bishop and the Bishop of Taunton will continue to be based and work at the Palace.

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Bishop of Worcester speaks in debate on Middle East Peace Process

“I would describe myself as a pro-Palestinian Zionist, wholeheartedly committed to the right of Israel to exist securely, and equally committed to the right of the Palestinian people to a viable state in which they can flourish. Reaching that is crucial to a wider Middle East peace settlement.” – The Bishop of Worcester

WorcesterOn 14th January 2014, the Bishop of Worcester took part in a debate on what role the European Union is currently playing in efforts to reach a wider Middle East peace settlement. He focused his comments on new EU guidelines on Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Continue reading “Bishop of Worcester speaks in debate on Middle East Peace Process”

MPs Questions to Church Commissioners

In Church Commissioners’ question time in the House of Commons on 19th January 2014, Sir Tony Baldry MP was asked by MPs to answer questions on the Pilling Report, homelessness, the Church of England 100 Treasures project, violent attacks on clergy, Grade I listed churches, religious tolerance and the Christian celebration of Christmas.

14.01 CCQ Baldry

Transcript (via Parliament.uk):

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Bishop of Ripon and Leeds takes part in affordable childcare debate

On 9th January 2014, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds took part in Baroness Massey of Darwen’s debate on affordable childcare.

R_LThe Lord Bishop of Ripon and Leeds: My Lords, I am very grateful indeed to the noble Baroness, Lady Massey of Darwen, for initiating this debate and for expressing so clearly the issues involved and, indeed still more, for her determined advocacy in this House and elsewhere of the rights and needs of children, especially those children who are most at risk within our society.

Childcare provision in this country has grown like Topsy. As we have heard from a number of examples comparing our own experiences when we were young parents with those of our children as parents now, the need for childcare has become more and more crucial to both parents and children, and as a mainstay of our culture as well of our economy. However, there is such a complex system, which is part universal and part not, with childcare vouchers in their varied forms as an additional complication. Rather strangely, there is also the danger that universal credit will actually make the situation more, rather than less, complex.

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Bishop of Ripon and Leeds cautions abolition of welfare provisions from local authority budgets

“One particular danger of the reduced provision, which will be exacerbated by its abolition, is the need for people to rely on high-interest lenders or loan sharks” – The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds

R_LOn 9th January 2014, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds took part in Lord Smith of Leigh’s debate on the Local Government Finance Settlement. He focused his remarks on local welfare provision, and the risks associated with the removal of funding for local welfare provision from April 2015.

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Bishop of Ripon and Leeds moves amendment to protect children being named during court proceedings

On 8th January 2014, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds moved an amendment to the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill, during its Report Stage. Amendment 18 would have removed the presumption that a child will be named publicly when they are involved in youth court proceedings relating to the new anti-social behaviour orders. Following assurances from the Minister, the amendment was withdrawn.

R_LThe Lord Bishop of Ripon and Leeds: My Lords, Amendments 18, 26 and 29 set out to remove the presumption that a child will be named publicly when they are involved in youth court proceedings relating to the new anti-social behaviour orders. I am very grateful to the Children’s Society, the Standing Committee on Youth Justice and others for concentrating my thoughts on this issue.

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Bishop of Ripon and Leeds asks question on recruitment of school governors

On 8th January 2014, Baroness Perry of Southwark asked Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the remarks about “lucky children” made by the Chief Executive of Ofsted during the launch of that organisation’s Annual Report 2012–13.

R_LThe Bishop of Ripon and Leeds asked a supplementary question:

The Lord Bishop of Ripon and Leeds: My Lords, in view of the difficulties often experienced in recruiting governors for schools, especially but not only in disadvantaged areas, what more can the Government do to encourage people to take on that role and to reduce the bureaucratic pressures that governors so often face? Continue reading “Bishop of Ripon and Leeds asks question on recruitment of school governors”