The Bishop of Leeds asked a question on the balance between state offerings and charitable support during a discussion on unpaid carers on 15th October 2025:
The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, many of the children and other young carers, referred to in a previous question, depend on charities. Are the Government content that the balance is right between what the state offers and charitable support?
Continue reading “Bishop of Leeds asks about support for unpaid carers”
The Bishop of London received the following written answer on 20th January 2025:
The Lord Bishop of London asked His Majesty’s Government:
The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answers on 2nd September 2024:
The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report, Carer’s Allowance Overpayments, published by Carer’s UK on 26 July.
Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks about government approach to carer’s allowance”The Bishop of Leicester asked a question on the need for unpaid carers to have flexibility in their paid work on 12th March 2024, during a discussion on the development of a new national care strategy:
The Lord Bishop of Leicester: The Archbishops’ Commission on Reimagining Care, based on conversations with many unpaid carers, recommended that there should be a “New Deal” for carers including restorative breaks, financial support and support from employers, including paid leave and the right to request flexibility. Does the Minister agree that any future national care strategy should consider the need for unpaid carers to have flexibility in their paid work?
Continue reading “Bishop of Leicester asks about flexible work for unpaid carers”The Bishop of Southwark gave a speech during a debate to mark international women’s day on 8th March 2024, paying tribute to the women of the Bishops Benches and raising the impact of poverty on women in the UK and overseas:
The Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Barran, for securing this important debate on International Women’s Day. I look forward to the maiden speech of the noble Baroness, Lady Casey of Blackstock.
It is my belief that the kingdom of God is a place of radical inclusion in which all are welcome and all shall flourish. I speak as the duty bishop today, but I am mindful of the determined advocates on this Bench, which include the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Gloucester, who is attending the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark takes part in debate marking International Women’s’ day”The Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham asked a question on support for unpaid carers on 12th July 2023, during a debate on waiting lists for community health services:
The Lord Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham: My Lords, in a recent survey of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, over 90% agreed that unpaid carers are now coming forward with an increased level of need, with directors ranking burnout as the number one reason for the increasing carer breakdown over the past year. Unpaid carers are clearly bearing the brunt of shortages in health and social care support, so can the Minister say what the Government can do to help more with unpaid carers?
Continue reading “Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham asks about support for unpaid carers”During a debate on the government’s social care strategy on 22nd March 2023, the Archbishop of York asked a question on reforming the social care workforce, emphasising the need to value care workers:
The Lord Archbishop of York: My Lords, the report by the Archbishops’ Commission on Reimagining Care was published in January. I am sure that the Minister is aware of this: in fact, I know that he is having a meeting later today with the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Carlisle, who co-chaired that commission. We argue for a very bold approach to social care, which puts at its heart the concept of a care covenant, with clear expectations on each of us of what we should give and expect in return, recognising that each of us is a carer and that most of us will need care one day.
Continue reading “Archbishop of York asks about social care reform”The Bishop of Leicester spoke in support of the Carer’s Leave Bill in its second reading on 3rd March 2023, drawing attention to the recommendations raised by the Archbishops’ Commission on Reimagining Care:
The Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, I am pleased to speak in wholehearted support of this Bill. It has been a pleasure to hear other speeches and to receive briefings on this significant area of our common life. I look forward to hearing other speeches and thank those who have introduced the Bill.
The Bill is an important step forward in showing carers that although their efforts may not be waged, they are very much valued. It might not go as far as could be hoped, as the noble Lord, Lord Shipley, has said, in that it provides for unpaid rather than paid leave, but it is undoubtedly a step in the right direction.
I see three key features of this Bill: first, the provision of leave for anyone with caring responsibilities, not just those who care for people in their household; secondly, guaranteeing this leave as a day one right; and thirdly, allowing for it to be taken flexibly. These three features show that the Bill recognises the variety of unpaid carers on whom society depends and the distinct challenges they face.
Continue reading “Carer’s Leave Bill: Bishop of Leicester draws attention to Archbishops’ Commission on Reimagining Care”
The Bishop of Carlisle asked the following question on 19th July 2022:
The Lord Bishop of Carlisle: My Lords, we are all aware of the huge contribution to the nation’s health and economy made by unpaid carers, including those who combine caring responsibilities with other paid employment.
This issue is currently being explored by both the Select Committee of your Lordships’ House and an Archbishops’ Commission. Does the Minister agree that, whenever possible, as well as paid or unpaid leave, flexible working arrangements for those with caring responsibilities are in everybody’s best interests?
Continue reading “Bishop of Carlisle asks about flexible working for carers”On 7th March 2022, the House of Lords debated the Health and Care Bill in its report stage. Votes were held on amendments in which Bishops took part.
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