Tag: integration

Bishop of Lichfield asks about facilitating integration in UK communities

The Bishop of Lichfield asked a question on facilitating community integration on 15 May 2025, following a government statement on the UK immigration system:

The Lord Bishop of Lichfield: My Lords, the White Paper rightly recognises the role that successful integration plays in enabling people to realise their full potential and increasing community cohesion. It particularly highlights the importance of language learning. Yet this, though important, is not the sole factor that influences the extent to which someone is successfully integrated in society. Successful integration is multifaceted. It requires, for example, the provision of adequate housing, employment opportunities, social networks and the ability to navigate services. A more holistic approach to integration is needed—one that extends beyond the development of language skills. What consideration are the Government giving to introducing more expansive measures to facilitate successful integration?

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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.

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Bishop of Chelmsford asks about social and community measures for those seeking asylum

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answers on 18th March 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government whether they are taking steps to develop engagement forums with asylum seeker and refugee communities.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con, Home Office): We regularly engage with stakeholders through standalone meetings and various forums such as the Asylum Strategic Engagement Group, which includes organisations who both speak for and represent asylum seekers.

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