faith communities – The Church of England in Parliament

Bishop of Sheffield asks about engagement between local authorities and faith groups

The Bishop of Sheffield asked a question on encouraging the use of covenants and charters to promote engagement and cooperation between faith communities and local authorities, during a discussion on use of the “advancement of religion” charitable purpose by charities on 26th November 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Sheffield: My Lords, just two weeks ago, Sheffield City Council launched its faith and belief charter—a sort of service-level agreement between local faith communities and the local authority setting out what each might expect of the other for the wider benefit of our city. The charter assumes a shared commitment to the essential dignity of every human being, as created in the image and likeness of God. Will the Minister encourage the use of such covenants and charters between faith communities and local authorities, not least on account of their capacity to challenge precisely the behaviours identified in the Question put by the noble Baroness?

Bishop of Leicester asks about support for faith communities addressing safeguarding concerns

The Bishop of Leicester asked a question on government support for faith communities in addressing safeguarding concerns on 22nd October 2025, during a discussion on a Commons Urgent Question on group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, the Church of England has in recent years been forced to face up to our own, significant failures in the areas of safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. We were far too slow to realise the devastating impact of safeguarding when it goes wrong, and we are even now struggling to put in place appropriate ways of ensuring accountability and of being led by survivors. Can the Minister therefore tell me what the Government are doing to support all faith communities in addressing safeguarding, to go beyond simply the requirements of the Charity Commission and to show that no group is above the law when it comes to safeguarding?

Bishop of Sheffield asks about engagement with charities and faith groups in procuring asylum accommodation

The Bishop of Sheffield received the following written answer on 15th September 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Sheffield asked His Majesty’s Government whether they intend to consult charities, faith groups, and frontline support services to deliver a more sustainable approach for procuring short-term accommodation for asylum seekers in line with the recommendations on the procurement of short term accommodation set out in the Office for Value for Money’s policy paper UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy.

Bishop of Sheffield asks about support of faith organisations in humanitarian work

The Bishop of Sheffield asked a question on support for faith organisations in humanitarian work on 23rd June 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Sheffield: My Lords, I welcome the recent launch of the British Overseas NGOs for Development’s Faith in Development Working Group. Member organisations such as Tearfund, Islamic Relief Worldwide and World Jewish Relief, together with secular NGOs, are seeking to create a platform to facilitate, encourage and promote faith actors in international development and humanitarian work. What plans does the Minister’s department have to consult and collaborate with faith communities and faith-based organisations, precisely to mitigate the impact of ODA cuts on vulnerable children?

Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about role of third sector in rehabilitating offenders

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked a question on the role of faith groups and the third sector in supporting rehabilitation of offenders on 2nd June 2025, during a discussion on the recently published Independent Sentencing Review:

The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham: My Lords, I join other noble Lords in welcoming the publication of the review. My friend the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Gloucester regrets that she is not able to be in her place today, but I know that she has been raising many of the issues addressed in this review over several years. It is heartening that the review has looked at creative alternatives to prison that are rigorous and yet also address the root causes of people committing crimes in the first place, and has proposed effective ways of preventing people entering cycles of criminality and reoffending, as well as strengthening and protecting communities, which is in the interest of victims on all sides.

Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill: Bishop of Manchester highlights impact on care leavers and faith communities

The Bishop of Manchester spoke at the second reading of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill on 1st May 2025, highlighting the potential impact of the bill on care leavers and faith communities:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, I begin by expressing my thanks to all noble Lords who have reached out to me following the announcement that I will be taking up the role of Convenor of the Lords Spiritual next month. I look forward to working with all noble Lords. I also look forward to hearing today the maiden speeches from the noble Lords, Lord Mohammed of Tinsley and Lord Biggar, the latter a fellow clergyman and a theological mind of some high repute.

Debate during the recent passage of my own Private Member’s Bill through this House highlighted the severe disadvantages faced by many care leavers. Research by Barnardo’s showed that 39% of care leavers aged 19 to 21 are not in education, employment or training, compared with 13% of young people in general. We are failing almost two in five of those who have care experience. Moreover, care leavers I met through the charity Become highlighted how much depends on the whim of their particular local authority. Young people who move away for work or further education are especially prone to losing support. We need a universal offer for young people leaving care that local authorities are obliged to meet.

Bishop of Lichfield highlights role of education in community cohesion

The Bishop of Lichfield spoke in a debate on integration and community cohesion on 13th March 2025, emphasising the importance of reaching across barriers and the role of education in promoting community cohesion:

The Lord Bishop of Lichfield: My Lords, I sincerely thank the noble Baroness, Lady Verma, for securing this important debate. I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Raval, on his excellent maiden speech, and I look forward to the maiden speech of the noble Lord, Lord Rook. I thank the noble Lord for all the work he has done over the years with the churches, including the Church of England, in which he is an ordained priest, and with communities of other faiths. I commend his tireless advocacy, as a key adviser to the Government, of the important role that faith plays in the life of our country. I know that his vast experience and expertise, and that of the noble Lord, Lord Raval, will add great value to this House.

Bishop of Lichfield asks about consultation on new definition of Islamophobia

The Bishop of Lichfield asked a question on government plans for consultation with Muslim communities and wider society in providing a definition of Islamophobia on 13th March 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Lichfield: My Lords, I welcome the Government’s launch of a new working group to provide a definition of Islamophobia. I ask the Minister: whom does this group plan to consult, both within and beyond the Islamic community, to inform that definition and ensure that it accounts for the lived experience of the Muslim community?

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill: Bishop of Manchester speaks to amendments

The Bishop of Manchester spoke during a debate on amendments to the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, expressing concern over the potential effects on churches and other places of worship, and the effects on voluntary commitments:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, I am grateful that we are debating the amendments in this group. I declare my interest, having lots of churches in Manchester that fall under the terms of the Bill.

Bishop of Lichfield asks about support for faith groups working with prison leavers

The Bishop of Lichfield received the following written answer on 3rd March 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Lichfield asked His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to work with faith groups to support people being released from prison.

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