The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 24th May 2024:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government how many women in England were rough sleeping in (1) 2019, (2) 2020, (3) 2021, (4) 2022, and (5) 2023.
Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con, DLUHC): The annual Rough Sleeping Snapshot(opens in a new tab) includes the number of women estimated to be sleeping rough in England on a single night in autumn between 2019 and 2023.
The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 10th May 2024:
The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recent Refugee Council report Keys to the City 2024: ending refugee homelessness in London and its finding that in the two years to September 2023, there was a 239 per cent increase in refugees requiring homelessness support from local authorities after being evicted from Home Office asylum accommodation.
The Bishop of Manchester tabled a question on rising costs of temporary accommodation affecting local authorities on 31st January 2024:
The Lord Bishop of Manchester asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on local authority finances caused by the rising cost of temporary accommodation.
Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con): My Lords, local authorities deliver vital homelessness services, and we recognise the pressure that the cost of temporary accommodation places on councils. As we announced recently, total core spending power for councils in England will rise by 7.5% for 2023-24 to 2024-25—an above-inflation increase. In addition, we are providing more than £1 billion over three years to councils through the homelessness prevention grant, with a further £120 million UK-wide funding in 2024-25, announced at Autumn Statement, to help prevent homelessness.
On 11th January 2024, Andrew Selous MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following answers to MPs in the House of Commons:
Choral Music: Cathedrals
Michael Fabricant MP (Con, Lichfield) asked: Whether the Commissioners are taking steps to support choral music in cathedrals.
Andrew Selous MP (Con, South West Bedfordshire): The Church Commissioners provided £1 million to support music in cathedrals during the pandemic. That sum was match funded by the Cathedral Music Trust. The commissioners are extremely grateful to the trust for doing what it did to help ensure that worship in our cathedrals remains of the highest calibre.
The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked a question on increased funding to assist the homeless, and to support efforts by the charitable & voluntary sector to do so, during a debate on rates of homelessness during Christmas on 18th December 2023:
The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham: My Lords, like many places, Nottingham is suffering from the cost of living crisis, fuel and food poverty, a decline of social housing and a growing shortage of private rented sector properties, which is compounded by the shortfall between the local housing allowance and rents. Framework Housing Association and Emmanuel House do exceptional work, together with the city council, in seeking to help the 10,000 people on the waiting list with an unmet housing need, alongside the street homeless. But the rising demand for social care and increased homelessness have contributed to the council issuing a Section 114 notice. If His Majesty’s Government agree that the charitable and voluntary sector is such a key partner in addressing these needs, can the Minister offer more direct funding to help the homeless in cities such as Nottingham?
During a debate on refugee homelessness on 13th December 2023, the Bishop of Gloucester asked a question on the impact of an inadequate notice period to leave home office accommodation on refugees, and requested an assurance that no notices to vacate would be implemented when severe and emergency weather warnings were in place:
The Lord Bishop of Gloucester: My Lords, given what has already been said about the inadequate notice period, can the Minister give an assurance that no notice to vacate will be implemented when a severe weather emergency protocol has been announced?
The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 30th November 2023:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what processes are in place for counting and identifying instances of rural homelessness.
Baroness Penn (Con, Department for Levelling-up, Housing & Communities): The Government understands rural homelessness presents unique challenges which can differ from urban areas.
The Bishop of St Albans asked a question on the need for a joined up policy to tackle homelessness among asylum seekers on 21st November 2023:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: Both the noble Lord, Lord Scriven, and the noble Baroness, Lady Lister, have raised the really troubling issue of asylum seekers leaving accommodation and being made homeless. In the Government’s strategy, Ending Rough Sleeping for Good, there was talk about having a transparent and joined-up system. What plans do His Majesty’s Government have to ensure that homelessness policy and asylum policy are working together so that we can minimise this dreadful problem?
The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 21st September 2023:
The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of (1) their rough sleeping strategy, End Rough Sleeping for Good, and (2) their Rough Sleeping Initiative one year after its launch.
The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 21st September 2023:
The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support London Councils who have reported a 120 per cent rise in requests by landlords for return of properties used as temporary homes and a 41 per cent reduction in the number of properties available for private rental since 2020.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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