Tag: Derby

Bishop of Derby speaks during the third reading of the Modern Slavery Bill

DerbyThe Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Alastair Redfern spoke during two amendments during the third reading of the Modern Slavery Bill. The Bishop co-sponsored an amendment to give the Secretary of State the power to appoint a body to maintain a website which would enable businesses to be accountable to their investors, their consumers and their shareholders. This amendment did not pass. Bishop Alastair also supported the government amendment to improve the Gang Masters Licensing Authority. This amendment was agreed by the House. The Bill will now go to the House of Commons for consideration.

Continue reading “Bishop of Derby speaks during the third reading of the Modern Slavery Bill”

Divisions – International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill

On 26th February 2015, bishops took part in three divisions on the Government’s International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill, The Bill proposes to enshrine in Law the commitment to spend 0.7% of UK GDI on International Development. 

House of Lords Division Lobby
House of Lords Division Lobby

Continue reading “Divisions – International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill”

Divisions – Modern Slavery Bill

On 23rd and 25th February 2015, bishops took part in two divisions on the Government’s Modern Slavery Bill, relating to the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner and the protection of overseas domestic workers.

House of Lords Division Lobby
House of Lords Division Lobby

Continue reading “Divisions – Modern Slavery Bill”

Bishop of Derby leads call for stronger powers for agencies tackling modern slavery

On 25th February 2015, the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Alastair Redfern, tabled an amendment to the Government’s Modern Slavery Bill, during its Report Stage. The amendment sought to strengthen and improve the resources of enforcement agencies who may be required to deal with groups engaged in modern slavery and human trafficking. The amendment was withdrawn, following assurances from the Minister that the Government would bring forward its own proposals at Third Reading.

The Bishop also spoke in favour of a group of amendments to the Bill relating to the transparency of supply chains. 

Amendment 92 – Enforcement Agencies

DerbyThe Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I thank my colleagues, the noble Lord, Lord Alton, and the noble Baroness, Lady Kennedy, for their support for this amendment. I also place on record my thanks to the noble Lord, Lord Bates. With others, we have been extremely grateful for the patient and kind way he has listened to us, engaged with us and put on special meetings on various subjects. The point of this amendment is to highlight the fact that both the Government and many of us involved in this issue are learning a great deal as we go along. Therefore, there is a proper space for consultation, review and further learning to be done. Continue reading “Bishop of Derby leads call for stronger powers for agencies tackling modern slavery”

Deregulation Bill- Divisions

On 11th February 2015, three bishops took part in divisions on the Government’s Deregulation Bill, during its Report Stage.

House of Lords Division Lobby
House of Lords Division Lobby

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Bishop of Derby calls for stronger partnerships to tackle human rights abuses in East Africa

On 27th January 2015, the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Alastair Redfern, took part in a short debate in the House of Lords on Her Majesty’s Government’s assessment of recent events in Eritrea and Ethiopia, and of their impact on migration to western Europe. He called for strong partnerships with the EU and UN to tackle the issues in East Africa, including the limits on religious freedom, and suggested that faith and voluntary groups could be key partners in opening up opportunities in the region.

DerbyThe Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I, too, thank the noble Lord, Lord Chidgey, for his comprehensive and challenging analysis and assessment. I will make some general remarks and then one or two specific points.

This complex situation is partly because the region is very unstable and there is a lot of movement from both of these countries to Saudi Arabia and the Yemen, as well as to Europe. Such an unstable context requires some big picture approaches. Then there is the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea, as the noble Lord, Lord Avebury, has clearly explained. That complexity makes a neat solution very difficult. Continue reading “Bishop of Derby calls for stronger partnerships to tackle human rights abuses in East Africa”

Bishop of Derby supports Bill to enshrine UK aid commitment in law

On 23rd January 2015, the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Alastair Redfern, took part in the Second Reading debate of the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill. The Bill is a Private Members’ Bill which was introduced in the House of Commons by Liberal Democrat MP Michael Moore. The Bishop argued that enshrining the 0.7% GNI contribution in law was a statement of the UK’s values, and showed a committment to the development of all states and the flourishing of all people.

DerbyThe Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I, too, congratulate the Government and the leaders of all the major parties on, at a time of amazing austerity and financial challenge, this bold commitment to a generous settlement in our public finances for the support of those in developing countries, especially the poorest of the poor. As we have heard, the 0.7% is an international target and therefore a very important sign that we play our part in an international community in a responsible way. Many activists, and church members in particular, are concerned for us to make that witness to global citizenship, and see this as an important issue. We have heard that it is important for us to be able to plan and be efficient and effective in the deployment of these resources. We have also heard that it creates more stable and peaceful societies, and gives us better communities with which to trade. Continue reading “Bishop of Derby supports Bill to enshrine UK aid commitment in law”

Bishop of Derby takes Church of England Measure on Pensions through the House of Lords

On the 22nd January the Bishop of Derby Lead a debate on a Church of England Measure reforming the Church Pensions system. The House of Lords considered and approved the Measure which will now move to the House of Commons.

Church of England Pensions (Amendment) Measure

Motion to Direct

Moved by The Lord Bishop of Derby

DerbyThat this House do direct that, in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919, the Church of England Pensions (Amendment) Measure be presented to Her Majesty for the Royal Assent.

The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, this very short Measure makes a single change to the Church of England Pensions Measure 1997. It extends by a further seven years the period during which the Church Commissioners have power to use the capital of their general fund in order to fund their historic pension obligations. The Pensions Measure 1997 conferred the original power on the commissioners to spend capital in order to support their responsibility to pay pensions for clergy service before 1998. The original power came to an end in 2004, and has been extended twice since then, on each occasion for seven years. Continue reading “Bishop of Derby takes Church of England Measure on Pensions through the House of Lords”

Bishop of Derby takes Church of England Measure on PCC Property through House of Lords

DerbyOn the 22nd January 2015 the Bishop of Derby lead a debate on a Church of England Measure reforming the way a Parochial Church Council can manage their properties. The House considered the Motion and passed the Measure which will now move for consideration in the House of Commons.

Ecclesiastical Property Measure

Motion to Direct

Moved by The Lord Bishop of Derby

That this House do direct that, in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919, the Ecclesiastical Property Measure be presented to Her Majesty for the Royal Assent.

The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, this Measure makes a modest change to the statutory framework for land and property held on permanent trusts by parochial church councils. At present, legal title to all PCC land is vested in the “diocesan authority”—usually the diocesan board of finance—which holds it as trustee for the PCC, by virtue of the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956. The diocesan authority’s consent is required to all kinds of transactions, with the exception of leases for a year or less. Continue reading “Bishop of Derby takes Church of England Measure on PCC Property through House of Lords”

Bishop of Derby takes Church of England Measure through House of Lords on Simplifying Faculty Process

On 22nd January 2015 the Bishop of Derby lead the debate in the House of Lords on a Church of England Measure. The House considered a Measure which was presented for Royal Assent on the subject of simplifying the faculty process. The Measure was accepted by the House and now proceeds to the House of Commons for consideration.

Derby

Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction (Amendment) Measure

Motion to Direct

Moved by The Lord Bishop of Derby

That this House do direct that, in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919, the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction (Amendment) Measure be presented to Her Majesty for the Royal Assent. Continue reading “Bishop of Derby takes Church of England Measure through House of Lords on Simplifying Faculty Process”