Tag: industry

Bishop of Carlisle asks about new coal mine in Cumbria

The Bishop of Carlisle asked a question concerning the proposed opening of a new coal mine in Whitehaven, Cumbria, on 8th December 2022:

The Lord Bishop of Carlisle: My Lords, I declare a slight interest in this topic, since Whitehaven is in my diocese, and like the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman, I live in west Cumbria—in a particularly beautiful part of it, I have to say. This debate has now been running for more than two years, and in Cumbria, as in the whole country, it has been highly contentious, with a great deal of passion expressed on both sides. We have already heard some of that passion in the debate this evening. So I am acutely aware of the many arguments about both the potential environmental impact, which has been deplored, and the employment opportunities, which would—as has already been mentioned—be very welcome in this very deprived part of the country.

Continue reading “Bishop of Carlisle asks about new coal mine in Cumbria”

Bishop of Southwark asks about reductions in manufacturing output in the UK

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 29th November 2022:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the reduction of 2.3 per cent in manufacturing output for the three months to September 2022 compared to the previous three months; and the impact of this reduction on economic activity.

Lord Callanan (Con): Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the rise in global energy prices and supply chain issues have strained all corners of the UK economy including manufacturing.

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Bishop of Exeter asks about protecting green spaces

The Bishop of Exeter asked a question on protecting green spaces during a debate on the 2022 Growth Plan on 25th October 2022:

The Lord Bishop of Exeter: My Lords, I thank the Minister for his answers, but how will the investment zones in His Majesty’s Government’s growth plan dovetail with local and neighbourhood plans to protect their green spaces?

Continue reading “Bishop of Exeter asks about protecting green spaces”

Bishop of Durham asks about shipbuilding in the north-east of England

The Bishop of Durham asked a question regarding shipbuilding in the north-east of England on 15th March 2022, in response to a statement on the national shipbuilding strategy:

The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, if I may return to the glorious infographic—figure 1 of the National Shipbuilding Strategy—and wear my north-east hat very strongly at this point, the only north-east reference I could find in the entire document was a little star on the map, yet the north-east at one time was the great shipbuilding hub of the United Kingdom. What affirmation can the Minister give to the continuing shipbuilding work and ship repair work in the north-east and its desire to further expand for the future? Where does steel fit into that? I do not think the Minister answered the question from the noble Lord, Lord Tunnicliffe, about steel.

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Bishop of Winchester asks about Government FE and skills strategy

On 5th May 2020 the Bishop of Winchester, Rt Revd Tim Dakin, received a written answer to a question on the Government’s further education and skills strategy:

The Lord Bishop of Winchester: HL3164 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in (1) improving further education, (2) meeting future skills needs, and (3) supporting economic and social recovery, since the publication of their Industrial Strategy: Building a Britain fit for the future White Paper in June 2018.

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Bishop of Winchester asks about impact of British Steel situation on those in apprenticeships

On 21st May a Government statement was repeated in the House of Lords about the future of British Steel. The Bishop of Winchester, Rt Revd Tim Dakin, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of Winchester: My Lords, among the 4,500 British Steel jobs at risk are many apprenticeship trainees and students enrolled on degree apprenticeships. What action will the Government take to ensure that these apprentices will not lose their training or have their training disrupted, but will be able to continue their training elsewhere in another steel-based firm, or have an equivalent apprenticeship in another place?

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Bishop of Lincoln responds to Government statement on Nissan

lincoln 140119 cOn 5th February 2019 Rt Revd Christopher Lowson, Bishop of Lincoln, responded to a Government Statement about the Nissan Car Factory in Sunderland, on behalf of the Bishop of Durham:

The Lord Bishop of Lincoln: My Lords, I have been asked by my right reverend friend the Bishop of Durham, who is detained in his diocese, to ask the following question. While he recognises the promised protection of existing jobs, does the Minister recognise that Nissan’s X-Trail announcement will inevitably cause real worry for existing staff about the sustainability of their jobs, both at Nissan and in the supply chain?

Will the Minister say how Her Majesty’s Government intend to allay such concerns at local level and what they might do to encourage Nissan to invest more in the development of electric cars and autonomous vehicles?

Continue reading “Bishop of Lincoln responds to Government statement on Nissan”

Bishop of Worcester asks Government to support communities in case of shipyard closure

Worcester281117On 26th November 2018, Lord West of Spithead tabled an Oral Question ‘To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the importance of the Appledore shipyard as part of the United Kingdom’s future shipbuilding strategy.’ The Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Revd John Inge, asked a follow-up question:

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: My Lords, having been vicar of the parish in which the Swan Hunter shipyard was when that yard went into the hands of the receivers a number of years ago, I am acutely conscious of the devastating effect that such closures have not just upon individuals but upon whole communities. The Minister has acknowledged that. Will he undertake, if the yard does go under, to provide necessary assistance both to individuals and to the community, which will suffer terribly? Continue reading “Bishop of Worcester asks Government to support communities in case of shipyard closure”

Bishop of Newcastle supports creation of North of Tyne Combined Authority

Newcastle - Grand CommitteeOn the 30th October 2018 the Rt Revd Christine Hardman, Bishop of Newcastle, spoke in support of the Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland Combined Authority (Establishment and Functions) Order 2018. 

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle: My Lords, I welcome this proposal for a North of Tyne combined authority. I was present when the minded-to agreement was signed and there was a real sense of purposeful energy around the room. I agree with my noble friends Lord Beecham and Lord Shipley who talked about the level of investment that this combined authority will pull in; it is good, but very modest. I hope that nobody, including the Minister, will feel that this is anything like a sufficient answer to the critical lack of investment in the north-east. This development is a necessary but not sufficient condition for a proper level of investment in the north-east economy. Continue reading “Bishop of Newcastle supports creation of North of Tyne Combined Authority”

Bishop of Chester asks about Vauxhall-Opel’s long-term viability

On Monday 6th December, Lord Prior of Brampton repeated a Government statement in the House of Lords regarding the acquisition of Vauxhall-Opel. The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Peter Forster, asked a supplementary question.

The Lord Bishop of Chester: My Lords, the Ellesmere Port plant is in my diocese and its closure at any time would be a disaster for that area on the banks of the Mersey. I recognise that that is not in immediate prospect, but can the Minister say more about the strategy to make the long-term loss-making Vauxhall-Opel group more profitable? If GM could not do it, how does Peugeot Citroën plan to do it? Continue reading “Bishop of Chester asks about Vauxhall-Opel’s long-term viability”

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