The Bishop of Derby received the following written answer on 19th December 2024:
The Lord Bishop of Derby asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the success of Anti-Bullying Week 2024, and what initiatives they have in place to eradicate bullying.
Continue reading “Bishop of Derby asks about bullying in schools”The Bishop of Derby received the following written answer on 17th December 2024:
The Lord Bishop of Derby asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to extend the remit of the Minister for Women and Equalities specifically to include girls’ wellbeing.
Continue reading “Bishop of Derby asks about girls health and wellbeing”The Bishop of Derby received the following written answer on 2nd November 2024:
The Lord Bishop of Derby asked His Majesty’s Government, as part of Anti-Bullying Week, what steps they are taking (1) to collect, record and monitor data on reports of bullying in schools and subsequent responses, and (2) to improve the availability and quality of anti-bullying training and support for teachers.
Continue reading “Bishop of Derby asks about combatting bullying in schools”The Bishop of Derby received the following written answer on 11th December 2024:
The Lord Bishop of Derby asked His Majesty’s Government whether they plan to introduce a national wellbeing measure for children to provide local authorities and national policymakers with data for the purpose of improving the mental health and wellbeing of young people.
Continue reading “Bishop of Derby asks about improving mental health and wellbeing for young people”
On 10th September 2024, the Bishop of Derby spoke at the second reading of the Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Bill, detailing the contributions of female Lords Spiritual and women’s wider role in ordained ministry:
The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I feel I should declare an interest as the only speaker in this debate who has benefited from the provisions of the Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015; thank you.
I know something of the challenges of being a woman in senior ministry, not least as I hold the distinction of being the first woman to be appointed and consecrated as a bishop in the Church of England, as Bishop of Stockport. I subsequently entered the House under the terms of the 2015 Act when I became Bishop of Derby, the fifth woman to sit on these Benches.
On balance, I support the Bill to extend this provision, and I add my thanks to those of my right reverend friend the Bishop of St Albans to the Leader of the House and to the Government for making time for it. I trust that this short and time-limited Bill to enable the existing Act to continue for a further five years will receive the same cross-party support that enabled the original Bill to progress through both Houses swiftly and without amendment in early 2015.
Continue reading “Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Bill: Bishop of Derby outlines benefits and contributions of female Lords Spiritual”The Bishop of Derby spoke in a debate on gambling advertising on 25th April 2024, with particular emphasis on the impact of gambling related harms on children and families:
The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I echo the thanks to the noble Lord, Lord Foster, for securing this debate and for his work, alongside the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of St Albans and others, on Peers for Gambling Reform, campaigning tirelessly over the past several years. While the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of St Albans cannot be in his place today to add his voice, I am sure I echo the sentiments of all Members when I say that we look forward to welcoming him back very soon to add weight to this conversation.
We have heard this afternoon that the link between problem gambling and serious harm is well documented. There are not only financial impacts of gambling addiction, which may on its own drive individuals with large gambling debts to theft, fraud or other forms of criminal activity, but also impacts on relationships, work, school and serious harm to both physical and mental health. Public Health England identified problem gamblers as at greater risk of dying from any cause and significantly increased risk of dying from suicide, as we have so eloquently just heard.
Continue reading “Bishop of Derby raises issue of gambling related harms impacting children and families”The Bishop of Derby asked a question on steps to eliminate racial bias against gypsy, Roma and traveller children in the youth justice system on 25th April 2024:
The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I hold responsibility in the Bishops’ prison team for children in the youth justice system, so my question arises not only from access to what I find to be quite disturbing data but also from direct contact with children in the justice system. What steps are His Majesty’s Government taking to eliminate racial bias, including in charging, against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children in the youth justice system, who are often hidden within official statistics?
Continue reading “Bishop of Derby asks about racial bias in youth justice”The Bishop of Derby spoke in a debate on support for parents considering separation on 22nd April 2024, referencing the work of the Archbishops’ Commission on Families and Households and the need for open communication with children in cases of family separation:
The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Farmer, for bringing this debate on this important matter. As I hope noble Lords will know, the Archbishops’ Commission on Families and Households—with which I know the noble Lord was engaged—looked at this subject closely. It is out of this commission that I want to speak this evening. During the commission’s work, the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act became law. Opportunities could be taken through that legislation to ensure that couples separating and considering separating—and their children—are made aware of all the support that could be available to them. Surely this is an area in which pastoral concern must feature heavily, both in our policy-making and in our application of legislation and guidance.
As the Family Justice Review found more than a decade ago, too many families whose relationships disintegrate end up in the court system. While the creation of a single unitary family court was a step in the right direction, there is still much work to do, not least in reducing delays in the family courts. As we have heard, the removal of legal aid for separating couples, except where there are allegations of domestic abuse or where a child is at risk, means that couples may not receive the advice and support they need. The continued availability of family mediation vouchers is welcome but is not necessarily a substitute for the vital legal aid that could be in place.
Continue reading “Bishop of Derby speaks in debate on help for parents and families considering separation”On 22nd April 2024, the House of Lords debated Commons Reasons and Amendments to the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, and votes were held on further amendments, in which bishops took part:
During a debate on the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill on 22nd April 2024, the Bishop of Derby, on behalf of the Bishop of Manchester, spoke in opposition to clause 28 standing part of the bill, as it would have adverse affects on great estate areas such as the Hyde Park Estate:
The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I will speak in support of my right reverend friend the Bishop of Manchester, who is unable to be in his place today and who has asked me to speak to his opposition that Clause 28 stand part of the Bill. This is linked to a similar stand-part debate, in the name of my right reverend friend, relating to Clause 47, to be debated later in Committee.
I declare my interest as a beneficiary, as is my diocese, of the Church Commissioners. I thank the Minister for her engagement with the charities affected by the legislation so far: the Church Commissioners, John Lyon’s Charity, Portal Trust, Campden Charities, Merchant Taylors’ Boone’s Charity, Dulwich Estate and the London Diocesan Fund. I hope she will continue to engage with my right reverend friend to find an amicable solution.
Continue reading “Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill: Bishop of Derby opposes clause affecting estate areas”
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