Tag: Gloucester

Votes: EU (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill – ping pong

On 7th March 2017 the House of Lords considered the Government’s EU (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill at Report. A vote was held on an amendment from Liberal Democrat Peer Lord Newby to hold a second referendum on the outcome of Brexit negotiations . Seven Lords Spiritual took part. 

On 13th March 2017, the House of Lords considered the Government’s EU (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill during ping pong, after the Commons had refused to accept amendments from the House of Lords. A vote was held on two amendments tabled by the Liberal Democrats to reinstate previously accepted amendments on the status of EU nationals and on parliamentary scrutiny. Five Lords Spiritual took part.  Continue reading “Votes: EU (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill – ping pong”

Votes: EU (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill – second referendum

On 7th March 2017 the House of Lords considered the Government’s EU (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill at Report. A vote was held on an amendment from Liberal Democrat Peer Lord Newby to hold a second referendum on the outcome of Brexit negotiations . Seven Lords Spiritual took part.  Continue reading “Votes: EU (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill – second referendum”

Bishop of Gloucester on building strong local communities of shared values

On the 2nd December 2016 the Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, spoke in the debate led by the Archbishop of Canterbury on shared  values and their role in shaping public policies. She highlighted the compassionate hospitality which this country has shown generations of refugees alongside the work she is undertaking in Gloucestershire to build community, standing ‘with’ rather than ‘othering’ people to promote human flourishing. 

gloucesterThe Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords, I thank my noble friend the most reverend Primate the Archbishop of Canterbury on his foresight in tabling this debate on shared values. I also add my own congratulations to the noble Lord, Lord McInnes of Kilwinning, and the noble Baroness, Lady Bertin, on their poignant and insightful maiden speeches.

In the diocese of Gloucester, I have recently been talking to young people about body image and reflecting with them on how their true worth begins deep within, the place from which true values emerge and are lived. Last Saturday, I hosted a huge community party in Cheltenham to publicly launch our new vision for the diocese of Gloucester. The vision has emerged from conversations in local communities, urban and rural, involving about 6,000 people, churchgoers and otherwise, discussing what sort of church they want to see in their communities.The vision is one of human flourishing and transformation, emanating from those words of Jesus from the gospel of John:

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”.

That is a good starting place when it comes to talking about values. Continue reading “Bishop of Gloucester on building strong local communities of shared values”

Bishop of Gloucester asks Government about fostering arrangements for child refugees

Bishop of Gloucester 10On 13th June 2016 Lord Roberts of Llandudno asked Her Majesty’s Government “what arrangements are in place to fulfil their decision to welcome unaccompanied child refugees into the United Kingdom.” The Bishop of Gloucester, Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords, are the Government working closely with Home for Good, which has several thousand potential foster carers who are willing to assist with welcoming these children at risk? Continue reading “Bishop of Gloucester asks Government about fostering arrangements for child refugees”

Bishop of Gloucester gives Maiden Speech on International Women’s Day

On the 7th March 2016, Baroness Williams of Trafford led a debate in the House of Lords, “that this House takes note of the progress made in the United Kingdom in the areas of women’s representation and empowerment 150 years after the 1866 petition to the House of Commons for women’s suffrage.” During the debate, the Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, gave her maiden speech, becoming the first female bishop in history to speak in the House of Lords.

Bishop of Gloucester 10The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords,

“This is a maiden speech, my Lords, and I would crave your indulgence”.

So began the maiden speech in November 1958 of Baroness Elliot of Harwood, the first female Peer to speak in this House. She went on to say,

“except for Her Majesty’s gracious Opening of Parliament, probably this is the first occasion in 900 years that the voice of a woman has been heard in the deliberations of this House”.—[Official Report, 4/11/1958; col. 161.]

I cannot make that claim but it certainly feels poignant to be participating in this particular debate as the first female bishop to be introduced as a Lord Spiritual. It is on that note that I thank noble Lords for the overwhelming warmth of their welcome, and for the most practical support that I have received from officers and staff. Continue reading “Bishop of Gloucester gives Maiden Speech on International Women’s Day”

Division: Tax Credits (Income Thresholds and Determination of Rates) (Amendment) Regulations 2016

On 7th March 2016 the House of Lords considered the Tax Credits (Income Thresholds and Determination of Rates) (Amendment) Regulations 2016.  Continue reading “Division: Tax Credits (Income Thresholds and Determination of Rates) (Amendment) Regulations 2016”

In pictures: Introduction of the Bishop of Gloucester

On Monday 26th October 2015 the Bishop of Gloucester, Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, was introduced to the House of Lords by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London.

OrderpaperThe first female bishop to take her seat in the Lords under the terms of the 2015 Lords Spiritual (Women) Act, her introduction was met with applause by those present. Pictures of the introduction are below and a video of the short ceremony can be viewed here.

BGintro

Continue reading “In pictures: Introduction of the Bishop of Gloucester”

Bishop of Gloucester – evidence that food bank use linked to benefit sanctions and delay

In the House of Lords on 20th March 2014 Lord Beecham asked Her Majesty’s Government ‘what assessment they have made of the number and role of food banks in the United Kingdom.’

The Bishop of Gloucester, Rt Rev Michael Perham, asked a supplementary question:14.03.20 Bishop of Gloucester

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords, research by Citizens Advice shows that the main reason people are referred to food banks is delay in the payment of benefits and benefit sanctions; anecdotally, this is also the church’s own experience from its involvement in the many food banks it helps to run across the country. Will the Minister tell us whether the Government are persuaded by this evidence and, if they are not, will he share with us what plans they have to carry out their own research into the reasons leading so many people to seek food aid?

Lord De Mauley: My Lords, I very much acknowledge the right reverend Prelate’s question. While it is right to expect that claimants who are able to look for or prepare for work should do so, a sanction will never be imposed if a claimant has good reason for failing to meet requirements. If claimants demonstrate that they cannot buy essential items, including food, as a result of their sanction, they can claim a hardship payment. No claimant should ever have to go without essentials as a result of a sanction.

(via Parliament.uk)

Votes – Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill

House of Lords Division Lobby
House of Lords Division Lobby

On 28th January 2014, a number of bishops took part in two divisions on the Government’s Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill, during ‘ping pong’.

Continue reading “Votes – Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill”