education – The Church of England in Parliament

Bishop of Derby asks about women and girls in the tech field

The Bishop of Derby asked a question on ensuring pathways for women and girls to pursue careers in the tech field on 18th December 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I warmly welcome the recent launch of the Women in Tech Taskforce and commend this Government on recognising the important contribution that women and girls make to the technology sector in particular. What steps are being taken to ensure that the TechYouth programme, part of the wider TechFirst programme, opens pathways to support and encourages young women and girls in further education and vocational training who are interested in pursuing apprenticeships and careers in this field?

2025 Budget: Bishop of Portsmouth makes maiden speech

The Bishop of Portsmouth made his maiden speech on 4th December 2025 during a debate on the Autumn Budget, focusing on children and education:

The Lord Bishop of Portsmouth: I thank the Minister for his opening speech in this debate on the Budget. In this maiden speech, I want to thank all noble Lords for their warm welcome to the House, and to thank the doorkeepers and parliamentary staff for their unfailing kindness, good humour and patience with lost Bishops, and for the support they gave in the run-up to my introduction in late October.

As Bishop of Portsmouth, I lead a vibrant, confident community of communities. The Anglican diocese of Portsmouth lives from a generous, grounded and corrigible faith, a commitment to collaboration and partnership, and a vision of the common good which includes everyone. Wonderfully, in my view, the motto for the city of Portsmouth is “Heaven’s Light Our Guide”.

Working in partnership with neighbours within the wider Christian community, and with the faith communities and voluntary and statutory sectors, the communities I lead are resolved to serve the people, neighbourhoods and communities of East Hampshire, the city of Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, to find what is good and to strengthen it, and to work with others for the flourishing of everyone.

Bishop of Norwich asks about education on harmful online materials

The Bishop of Norwich asked a question on the role of Ofsted’s new education framework in facilitating education on harmful online materials on 4th December 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, given the Church of England’s role in education, I welcome the age limits introduced for harmful material sites. However, it is very hard to police the use of VPNs, and thus education is likely to be needed in a great deal of cases, as well as enforcement. What role will Ofsted’s new framework play in ensuring that statutory relationships, sex and health education is delivered effectively with regard to this matter?

Bishop of Norwich asks about special educational needs and disabilities provision

The Bishop of Norwich asked about the need for other educational provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities, during a discussion on SEND budget funding on 3rd December 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, does the Minister agree that, when there is not enough support for SEND pupils in a classroom, it has a major impact on other pupils in the classroom and on teachers themselves, some of whom are leaving the profession because of the stresses they are under? Does the Minister agree that sometimes it is in other educational provision, such as forest school and play, that these children can really thrive?

Bishop of London asks about role and importance of churches in providing religious education

The Bishop of London asked a question on the importance of religious education following a government statement on the curriculum and assessment review on 10th November 2025:

The Lord Bishop of London: My Lords, we are living in an increasingly complex world, and the study of religious education is critical in helping young people to navigate it. The need for understanding and dialogue across different faith groups and worldviews is increasingly obvious. The Church of England has welcomed the scrapping of the EBacc, because it has positive implications for religious education. At present, schools with a religious character provide the most comprehensive RE in the country. Will the Government commit to ensuring that these new proposals do not undermine this or the historic role that churches have in providing education in England?

Bishop of Manchester asks about education and forced marriage

The Bishop of Manchester asked a question on preventing forced marriage and pregnancy as barriers to women’s education during a discussion on official development assistance on 4th November 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, while we are on the theme of supporting women, as I travel around I find that one of the greatest impairments to young girls completing their education is that they are forced into pregnancy—sometimes by their families—at a very young age, pre leaving school. What can His Majesty’s Government do to help prevent young girls being made pregnant, usually by older men and in very difficult circumstances?

Bishop of Sheffield asks about further education partnerships and ECHR education in schools

The Bishop of Sheffield received the following written answers on 13th October 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Sheffield asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which the origins and contents of the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights are taught in primary and secondary schools in England.

Bishop of Newcastle asks about secondary education

The Bishop of Newcastle received the following written answer on 13th October 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the increasing A Level attainment gap between the North East and London and what steps they are taking to reduce this gap.

Bishop of Peterborough makes maiden speech in VE day debate

On 9th May 2025, the Bishop of Peterborough made her maiden speech in the House of Lords during a debate marking the 80^th anniversary of Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan:

The Lord Bishop of Peterborough: My Lords, it is a privilege to be making my maiden speech today. I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Coaker, for opening this debate and for the encouragement for us to mark and reflect such an important anniversary. It is an honour to follow such moving speeches.

Before saying any more, I take the opportunity to thank the many Members and staff of your Lordships’ House who have made me feel so welcome. I have been struck by the care that has been shown to help me to find my feet, and I am most grateful for the time taken to do so. I have been Bishop of Peterborough for just over a year, following four years as Bishop of Southampton, and I hope to bring experience from both dioceses as I take my place among your Lordships.

As we have heard, the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe and victory over Japan has been marked in our communities in a number of different ways. Across Peterborough diocese, there have been street parties in Northamptonshire; bunting in the beautiful villages of Rutland; and bells of churches ringing out, including from Peterborough Cathedral, which has always been a place of gathering at times of national significance and last night played its part again, drawing people together and helping them to remember.

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