Archbishop of York – EU environmental regulations have grown into a jungle

On 22nd January 2019 the House of Lords considered a motion to approve the Floods and Water (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. The Archbishop of York, Most Revd John Sentamu, asked a question of the Minister:

The Archbishop of York: The Minister has been very clear about the benefits of regulation, particularly for the environment, which, as he said, were brought about through sheer hard work, campaigning and persuading other people. Nevertheless, does he agree that EU regulations have grown into a jungle that has become very difficult to penetrate?

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Bishop of Salisbury welcomes Government waste strategy, calls for more action on plastics recycling

On 19th December 2018 the Lords debated a motion from Baroness Neville-Rolfe, “To move that this House takes note of the threat to the environment posed by plastic and the case for improved recycling.” The Bishop of Salisbury, Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, spoke in the debate:

The Lord Bishop of Salisbury: My Lords, I add my thanks to the noble Baroness, Lady Neville-Rolfe, for her persistence on plastic and for securing this debate. In the light of the comments of the noble Baroness, Lady Parminter, I observe that I enter the debate after three inspiring women.

I want to say “Well done” to the Government on the resources and waste strategy announced yesterday. It must be a bit of a relief to find an issue around which there is a good level of agreement for us to work on, but it means that there is a danger of complacency in the face of such an urgent task. Continue reading “Bishop of Salisbury welcomes Government waste strategy, calls for more action on plastics recycling”

Bishop of St Albans asks about linking executive pay to carbon emission reduction targets

On 5th December 2018 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a question he had tabled to Government about linking executive pay to carbon emission reduction targets. The reply, his follow-up question and those of other Members is below:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage oil and gas companies to link executive pay to carbon emission reduction targets.

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Bishop of Carlisle asks Government about greening of towns and cities

On 5th December 2018 Baroness Randerson asked Her Majesty’s Government “what steps they are taking to raise awareness among the general public of the health impacts of emissions from diesel vehicles.” The Bishop of Carlisle, Rt Revd James Newcome, asked a follow-up question:

The Lord Bishop of Carlisle: My Lords, does the Minister agree that, while electric cars are being developed, trees, plants, shrubs and especially hedges can make a very useful contribution to the absorption of harmful emissions, as well as having a therapeutic value for those who grow them and those who enjoy them? Can he tell us of any plans the Government may have to encourage the greening of our towns and cities? Continue reading “Bishop of Carlisle asks Government about greening of towns and cities”

Bishop of Chelmsford – Budget is missed opportunity for environment

On 13th November 2018 the House of Lords debated the Chancellor’s Budget Statement. The Bishop of Chelmsford, Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, spoke in the debate to highlight concerns about the environment, the two-child limit and fixed odds betting terminals.  

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford: My Lords, for many on these Benches there are measures to welcome in this Budget: for instance, the decision to increase the work allowances within universal credit for families with children and people with disabilities, as other noble Lords have mentioned. This goes a substantial way towards reversing the cuts announced in 2015. Likewise, the announcement of measures to aid the transition to universal credit, worth £1 billion over five years, is also welcome, as is the additional and non-repayable run-on support for new claimants to help people manage during the five-week waiting period before their first payment. However, I am disappointed that the run-on support does not cover the child elements of universal credit. Continue reading “Bishop of Chelmsford – Budget is missed opportunity for environment”

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about fly-tipping prosecutions

On 19th September 2018 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received a written answer to a question on fly-tipping:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of statistics for prosecutions for fly-tipping in England; and, in the light of those, whether local authorities have sufficient powers in relation to fly-tipping. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about fly-tipping prosecutions”

Bishop of St Albans asks about Forestry Commission land

On 17th May 2018 the Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, received a written answer to a question on Forestry Commission Land:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many hectares of land were owned by the Forestry Commission in (1) 2000, (2) 2005, (3) 2010, (4) 2015, and (5) 2018. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about Forestry Commission land”

Bishop of Salisbury asks question about plastic packaging and polyester in clothing

On 2nd May Lord Dubs asked Her Majesty’s Government “what action they plan to take to reduce the amount of plastic used in packaging for food, drink and other consumer items.” The Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Nick Holtam, asked a follow-up question: 

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Church Commissioner questions: religious freedom, schools, recycling, thefts from churches

On 26th April 2018, questions were put in the House of Commons to Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP, representing the Church Commissioners. Dame Caroline was asked by MPs about freedom of religion in the Commonwealth, recycling, rural schools, out of school education settings and thefts from churches. A full transcript is below.

The right hon Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, was asked— Continue reading “Church Commissioner questions: religious freedom, schools, recycling, thefts from churches”

Dame Caroline Spelman questions government about plastics reduction campaign

17.12.07 Carolinespelman1On the 8th March the Second Church Estates Commissioner, the Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP asked a question of the Government regarding the Church of England’s Lent Campaign for plastic reduction.

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