On 10th October 2016, Baroness Hussein-Ece asked the government “how many lone children in Calais with family links in the United Kingdom have been allowed into the United Kingdom in the past 12 months.” The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt. Revd. Graham Jones, asked a supplementary question.
Continue reading “Bishop of Norwich calls on Government to prioritise vulnerable children in Calais”
Tag: Norwich
Immigration Bill: Bishop of Norwich supports amendment on supporting care leavers
On 21st March the House of Lords considered the Government’s Immigration Bill at Report Stage. The Bishop of Norwich, Rt Revd Graham James co-sponsored and spoke in support of a series of amendments on care leaving support for young people in the immigration system. Introducing the amendments the Earl of Listowel said:
“These amendments ensure that young people leaving care are able to continue to access leaving-care support from their local authorities in circumstances where their departure from the UK is not envisaged. This includes young people with pending applications to remain in the UK whose long-term future may be in the UK, and young people who cannot leave the UK because there is a genuine obstacle to their removal.”
The amendments were not put to a vote. The Bishops’ speech and the Minister’s response are below.
The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, the situation of most young adults in this country reveals why this group of amendments is needed. I am glad to add my name to it and pay tribute to the noble Earl for his introduction. In 2015, half of all young people aged 21 in this country and 40% of all 24 year-olds were still living with their parents. As many Members of your Lordships’ House will know from personal experience, even adult children who have left home often return when need arises. Indeed, my own personal experience of adult children is that territorial control of bedrooms continues even when they have got married or have their flats elsewhere—I am thinking of introducing a bedroom tax in Bishop’s House in Norwich. Continue reading “Immigration Bill: Bishop of Norwich supports amendment on supporting care leavers”
Divisions: Immigration Bill
On 21st March the House of Lords considered the Government’s Immigration Bill at Report Stage. A number of votes were held on amendments, in which several bishops took part: Continue reading “Divisions: Immigration Bill”
Immigration Bill: Bishop of Norwich supports amendment on family reunion
On 21st March the House of Lords considered the Government’s Immigration Bill at Report Stage. Lord Hylton tabled an amendment, co-sponsored by the Bishop of Southwark, that would expand the rules on family reunion and asylum. The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham James, spoke in support of the amendment, and Lord Bates responded on behalf of the Government. The amendment was withdrawn after debate. Continue reading “Immigration Bill: Bishop of Norwich supports amendment on family reunion”
Immigration Bill: Bishop of Norwich backs move to extend transitional asylum support for those given leave to remain
On 15th March 2016, Baroness Lister moved an amendment to the Government’s Immigration Bill which would extend the period for those transitioning from asylum support to work or benefits from 28 to 40 days. The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham James, spoke in support of the amendment. Lord Bates responded on behalf of the Government. Continue reading “Immigration Bill: Bishop of Norwich backs move to extend transitional asylum support for those given leave to remain”
Immigration Bill: Bishop of Norwich moves amendment requiring best interests assessment for refugee children
On 15th March, the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham James, moved an amenment to the Immigration Bill that would ensure a best interests assessment was undertaken for an child separated from their parents due to an immigration appeal. Lord Keen of Elie responded on behalf of the Government.
Bishop of Norwich calls for RE to be included in the English Baccalaureate
On 4th February 2016 the House of Lords debated a motion from the Earl of Clancarty, “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that children receive a balanced and rounded education in schools; and what effect the English baccalaureate requirements will have in that regard.” The Bishop of Norwich spoke in the debate, highlighting the need for RE to be considered in the English Baccalaureate and the importance of overseas visits in providing rounded education.
The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, like others, I am very grateful to the noble Earl for securing this short debate. The importance of this subject is out of all proportion to the length of our discussion.
I agree with so much that has been said but I shall concentrate on two specific issues. The first, noble Lords will not be surprised to hear, concerns the omission of religious education from the English baccalaureate. I realise that it is not the only omission—I would rather like art, music and much else to be there, too—but I believe that it is a serious mistake that is going to be deleterious to a rounded education. Continue reading “Bishop of Norwich calls for RE to be included in the English Baccalaureate”
Immigration Bill: Bishop of Norwich supports amendment on review of family reunion programme for refugees
On the 3rd February 2016 the House of Lords considered the Government’s Immigration Bill in committee. The Bishop of Norwich, Rt Revd Graham James, spoke in support of an amendment co-sponsored by the Bishop of Southwark on family reunion for refugees. Following the response from the Government the amendment was withdrawn.
The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Southwark, who has added his name to Amendment 234, cannot be in his place, but I am glad to speak on my own behalf and, I hope, for him, too, since we are of one mind on this matter. Continue reading “Immigration Bill: Bishop of Norwich supports amendment on review of family reunion programme for refugees”
Immigration Bill: Bishop of Norwich backs amendment on support for unaccompanied young people seeking asylum
On the 3rd February 2016 the House of Lords considered the Government’s Immigration Bill in committee. The Bishop of Norwich, Rt Revd Graham James, spoke in support of an amendment from Lord Alton of Liverpool proposing the extension of Local Authority support for young people and care leavers seeking asylum. The Bishop spoke about the danger of young people disappearing, without necessary support. The amendment was withdrawn after debate.
The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, I do not want to detain the Committee because we have heard the significance of these amendments, to some of which I have added my name. I want to follow what the noble Lord, Lord Judd, has just said because we all know that the consequence of not providing for these young people when they leave the care system is serious because they are going to remain in this country. Continue reading “Immigration Bill: Bishop of Norwich backs amendment on support for unaccompanied young people seeking asylum”
Immigration Bill: Bishop of Norwich urges Government to reconsider cuts in asylum support
On the 3rd February 2016 the House of Lords considered the Government’s Immigration Bill in committee. The Bishop of Norwich, Rt Revd Graham James, spoke in support of an amendment to clause 37 on levels of support for those seeking asylum. The Bishop echoed the concerns of the Bishop of Southwark, made at the Bill’s Second Reading, that further reducing the weekly support for people in the asylum system was unwelcome. After debate Peers decided to let the clause stand as part of the Bill.
The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, I support Amendment 230 in this group. My colleague, the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Southwark, spoke at Second Reading of his concern about the architecture of Clause 37 and Schedule 8. I share his belief that the reduced weekly support of £36.95 per person, to which the noble Lord, Lord Rosser, referred, for an asylum seeker under the current system is inadequate. Where that financial provision is refused, it is subject to a right of appeal. I note that in nearly two-thirds of such appeal cases, the appeal is successful or the refusal is withdrawn. Continue reading “Immigration Bill: Bishop of Norwich urges Government to reconsider cuts in asylum support”
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