Tag: leeds

Bishop of Leeds asks about roadmap to reintroduction of singing in UK churches

The Bishop of Leeds asked a question on the lifting of pandemic restrictions on singing in churches on 4th March 2021, following a government update on COVID-19:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, I add my congratulations to the NHS and the Minister for the rollout of the vaccine, but with continued concern about the mortality rates. Churches, clergy and chaplains have been very involved in pastoral care and in support of the dying and the bereaved, even when buildings have been closed. There is now big concern with Holy Week and Easter coming up. Can the Minister offer a roadmap for when singing by choirs and congregations will once again be allowed, with sufficient time to prepare?

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Bishop of Leeds asks about arms sales to Saudi Arabia

The Bishop of Leeds asked a question on continuing UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia on 3rd March 2021, during a discussion on aid funding to Yemen:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, the Minister rightly used the word “peace” a number of times when referring to the Government’s commitment to bringing peace in Yemen, and yet we continue to sell arms to Saudi Arabia, which is part of the violent problem there. Does this not reflect badly on the moral case for global Britain, at a time when we have cut our aid to what are acknowledged to be the poorest and most suffering people in the world—look at the television programme the other night on the nine year-old blind boy teaching in a derelict school—when they need it most?

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Bishop of Leeds asks about social cost of benefit cuts

The Bishop of Leeds asked a question on the long term social costs of cutting benefits on 2nd March 2021, during a discussion on support for those receiving universal credit during the COVID-19 Pandemic:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, I congratulate the Government on what they have done in this respect in supporting so many vulnerable people during the pandemic. However, does the Minister agree that the danger of the cut that taking away the £20 a week would be is that the Government would get a short-term saving, but would pay far more in the longer term because of some of the social costs? Given the number of people we see using food banks in my diocese and around the country—including working people—and the number of children in poverty and likely to go deeper into it, the remedial costs of supporting them into the longer-term future will far outweigh anything paid now.

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Bishop of Leeds asks about issues of sovereignty in relation to the EU and the USA

The Bishop of Leeds asked a question on contested ideas of sovereignty on 1st March 2021 during a discussion on diplomatic relationships with the US, contrasting portrayals of the UK’s relationship with the EU and with the United States:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, notions of sovereignty are clearly contested, even in the way we use the language. Is it time for a public education programme through which the Government can explain why pooled sovereignty with the EU is a deficit for the UK but when it is pooled with the United States, it is seen as a positive?

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Votes: Trade Bill

On 23rd February 2021, the House of Lords debated Commons Reasons and Amendments to the Trade Bill. A vote was held on an amendment to the bill, in which Bishops took part.

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Votes: Trade Bill

On 2nd February 2021, the House of Lords debated Commons Amendments to the Trade Bill. Votes were held on further amendments to the bill, in which Bishops took part:

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Votes: EU (Future Relationship) Bill

On 30th December 2020 the House of Lords considered the Government’s European Union (Future Relationship) Bill at all stages. Three votes were held on the Bill, in which bishops took part:

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Votes: UK Internal Market Bill

On 14th December votes were held in the House of Lords on the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill during its ‘ping-pong’ stage between Houses. Bishops supported two motions tabled by Peers to insist on amendments to the Bill that had been turned down by the Government in the House of Commons.

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Votes: UK Internal Market Bill

On 9th December 2020 the House of Lords again considered the Government’s UK Internal Market Bill, after the Commons had considered – and rejected – amendments passed by the Lords.

Votes were held on Motions to disagree with the Commons and propose further amendments in their place. The Bishops of Leeds and Newcastle took part in two of those votes, details below: Continue reading “Votes: UK Internal Market Bill”

Votes: Trade Bill

On 7th December the House of Lords considered amendments to the Government’s Trade Bill. Three votes on amendments were held in which Lords Spiritual took part. All three amendments were passed:

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