Bishop of Chelmsford asks about changes to refugee status and housing

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answers on 24th March 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government when they expect to publish the National Centre for Social Research evaluation of the pilot move on period for newly recognised refugees to leave asylum accommodation.

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Bishop of Chelmsford asks about impact of conflict in the Middle East on refugee movements

On 19th March 2026, the Bishop of Chelmsford tabled a question on refugee movements following Israeli military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford: To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of refugee movements following Israeli military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

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Bishop of Chelmsford asks about conflict in Iran

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 19th March 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to prevent being drawn into offensive military action against Iran.

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Votes: Crime and Policing Bill

On 18th March 2026, the House of Lords debated the Crime and Policing Bill, including amendments on protest, terrorism, and abortion. Bishops took part on votes on several amendments:

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Bishop of Chelmsford asks about US military actions in Iran

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 18th March 2026:

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

  • what steps they are taking to prioritise the safety of UK nationals, diplomats and military personnel in the Middle East, including their safe passage out of the region. Hansard
  • what steps they are taking to work with regional partners, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar and Turkey, to encourage the United States of America and Iran to find a diplomatic solution to war. Hansard
  • what assessment they have made of the diplomatic progress made in the negotiations between the United States of America and Iran before the start of US military action against Iran. Hansard
  • what assessment they have made of the compliance of military action by the United States of America against Iran with Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter. Hansard
  • what representations they have made to the government of the United States about the limitations and risks of military action in Iran. Hansard
  • what assessment they have made of the impact of military action by the United States against Iran on the level of military assistance to Ukraine. Hansard
  • what is their  response to civilian casualties in Iran caused by the military action by the United States and Israel; and what steps they are taking to support Iranian people by providing aid and continued access to information channels. Hansard
  • what assessment they have made of the potential for an increase in refugees from Iran; and what steps they are taking to establish safe and legal routes, and humanitarian assistance, to those seeking to leave Iran. Hansard
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Bishop of Chelmsford asks about making housing available

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 18th March 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government whether they plan for a proportion of their 1.5 million homes target to be met by bringing empty homes back into use.

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Bishop of Chelmsford asks about government housing targets

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answers on 16th March 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of labour shortages, planning and regulatory rules, and any viability challenges, on the delivery of their target to build 1.5 million homes.

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Bishop of Chelmsford asks about future of Iran

The Bishop of Chelmsford asked a question on the future of Iran on 2nd March 2026 following a government statement on US and Israeli strikes on the country and subsequent conflict in the Middle East:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford: My Lords, some of your Lordships will know of my personal interest in this topic, having experienced at first hand something of the brutality of the Iranian regime. While I certainly would not lament the end of that regime, I share the concern of those who express it that this war is neither legal nor necessary, and that peace is best secured by returning to the negotiating table—which incidentally seemed to be showing some signs of working. Does the noble Baroness agree that while the Islamic republic will certainly have been weakened by these strikes, the regime’s survival instinct is not to be underestimated? Does she agree that while Iranians must decide their own future, western Governments should be cautious about asking protesters to further degrade that regime’s capacity by protesting on the streets, when we know that the Iranian security service will likely use that as a pretext for intensified repression? A bloody descent into a Syrian-style civil war is in no one’s interest and is surely best avoided.

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Bishop of Chelmsford asks about recent protests in Iran

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 12th February 2026:

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

  • whether they plan to take further action against the government of Iran, including sanctions and other measures, in response to human rights abuses against protestors by the security forces.
  •  what steps they are taking to encourage the government of Iran to restore internet access and international communications to allow people to search for missing family members after recent protests.
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Votes: Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill

On 11th November, the House of Lords debated the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. Votes were held on amendments to the bill, in which bishops took part:

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