On 6th June 2022 the Bishop of Durham asked a question and a follow-up to Government, about its child poverty strategy:
The Lord Bishop of Durham asked Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the review by the Church of England Making the case for a child poverty strategy, published on 28 April; and what plans they have, if any, to introduce a child poverty strategy.
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The Bishop of Durham asked a question during a discussion on the North East Ambulance Service on 23rd May 2022:
The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, I should declare that NEAS serves the area that I live in; indeed, I shall be in Shildon on other business later this week. Will the Minister take the opportunity to applaud the work—on the ground and in the vehicles—of members of the ambulance service? They seek to do their best under incredible pressure, day in and day out. This is an opportunity to thank them, I think, even in the face of such tragedy.
Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about the North East Ambulance Service”On 23rd May 2022, the House of Lords debated the Schools Bill in its second reading. The Bishop of Durham spoke in the debate with regards to faith schools, teachers, and other points in the bill. The Bill was committed to a committee of the whole house.
The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, I declare my specific interest as chair of the National Society. Noble Lords will know that the Church of England started mass education for the poor in England in 1811 through the work of the National Society. We built thousands of schools which have been at the heart of our commitment to the common good ever since. The state joined in this educational endeavour 50 years later. A strong mutual relationship developed, culminating in the dual system settlement in the 1944 Education Act.
Since a Labour Government introduced academies in the early 2000s, that system has been evolving but bringing complexity and fragmentation. Free schools added to this. Academies started as an innovation to bring fresh approaches to improve outcomes, especially for children in the most disadvantaged areas. There has been much success, although not in every case. Academies are now the predominant school type. As the system moves towards all schools being academies in a strong trust, it is right that we give detailed attention to ensure that academies are placed within a firm legislative context rather than rely on the largely contractual nature of the present arrangements.
Continue reading “Bishop of Durham speaks in debate on the Schools Bill”On 17th May 2022, the House of Lords debated the Queen’s Speech. The Bishop of Durham spoke in the debate, regarding the cost of living and the two child limit on universal credit:
The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, I declare my interests as chair of the National Society and co-chair of the Archbishops’ Commission on Families and Households.
A key question for evaluating the legislative agenda laid out in the gracious Speech is: are we, as a nation, prioritising the holistic well-being of all our children? I welcome the forthcoming Schools Bill. I pay tribute to the Secretary of State’s approach in constructively working with us to enable churches to have confidence in moving towards a system where all schools can be in a strong academy trust, maintaining their own ethos. The whole system must provide an education not solely pursuing the ends of maths and literacy but enabling children to be the best people they can be and to contribute to transforming the schools in which we live.
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on 17th May 2022, the Bishop of Durham asked a question during a debate on the rising cost of living:
The Lord Bishop of Durham: How much time have Treasury Ministers and DWP Ministers spent sitting, listening and talking with people who are struggling either to eat or heat? It is first-hand evidence that really matters; do not get it just from reports.
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The Bishop of Durham received the following written answer on 28th April 2022:
The Lord Bishop of Durham asked Her Majesty’s Government who will be on the Independent Monitoring Board referred to in the Memorandum of Understanding between the UK Government and the government of Rwanda for the provision of an asylum partnership arrangement; and when will the Board be fully operational.
Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about government’s immigration policy”The Bishop of Durham received the following written answer on 27th April 2022:
The Lord Bishop of Durham asked Her Majesty’s Government, further to the rising cost of living, what plans they have, if any, to unfreeze Local Housing Allowance.
Baroness Stedman-Scott (Con): The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) determines the maximum housing support for tenants in the private rented sector. The level of LHA rates is reviewed annually by the Secretary of State.
In 2020-21, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we invested almost £1 billion in the LHA which meant 1.5 million households received an average increase of £600 more than they would otherwise have received.
Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about housing”This is the text of an article published in The Independent on 26th April 2022.
The government’s plan is troubling because we are discharging our responsibility to welcoming the stranger, writes the Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler.
In the House of Lords over the past few months, I have been contributing to debates on the Nationality and Borders Bill – engaging with the government’s desire to reform the asylum system. My starting point is the Christian commitment to welcoming the stranger, treating them as we would each other.
Continue reading “‘Rwanda refugees plan flies in the face of Christian teachings’ – Bishop of Durham”The Bishop of Durham received the following written answers on 25th April 2022:
The Lord Bishop of Durham asked Her Majesty’s Government whether they applied the Family Test to the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2022.
Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about social security and universal credit”The Bishop of Durham received the following written answer on 25th April 2022:
The Lord Bishop of Durham asked Her Majesty’s Government whether they have applied the Family Test to the Nationality and Borders Bill.
Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about the Nationality and Borders Bill (2022)”
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