Norwich – Page 3 – The Church of England in Parliament

Bishop of Norwich asks about settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answers on 1st September 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich asked His Majesty’s Government:

what assessment they have made of ongoing settler attacks on Palestinian communities in Taybeh in the West Bank, including the attack on St George’s Church on 7 July; and what steps they are taking to impose travel bans and financial sanctions on those responsible.
what representation they have made to the government of Israel to investigate and prevent the reported incidents of arson and assaults by settlers on Palestinian property, agricultural land and holy sites in Taybeh in the West Bank.
whether they have met or intend to meet representatives of the Greek Orthodox Church, Latin Church, and the Melkite Geek Catholic Church following settler violence against Palestinian communities in Taybeh in the West Bank.

Bishop of Norwich calls for community-based approach to energy innovation

The Bishop of Norwich spoke in a debate on the National Policy Statement for Energy on 9th July 2025, stressing the need for a community-based approach to energy innovation:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for his introduction, as there are many things within these documents to praise.

They set out a positive direction for future energy infrastructure, which broadly aligns with clean power by 2030 and net zero by 2050. Although I—and, I am sure, many others—welcome a whole-system approach to energy infrastructure planning, delivery has remained fragmented. Let us hope, to coin a phrase, that the wind might now change.

I have just come from the mass climate lobby outside, in Parliament Square. I am not usually someone who joins such events but, for me, it is vital for us to hear the Climate Coalition and the great many people who are raising this issue of climate change and nature loss, because it seems to be slipping down political agendas. Some of the coalition’s aims are to cut bills, back UK jobs and secure a greener, fairer future for all. Another is to restore nature to create a safer and healthier future. With these aims still fresh in my mind from the crowd outside, my remarks will address three areas: first, the cost of connection and district heating networks, especially for those organisations that create the warp and weft of community life; secondly, the capacity of the grid to receive the quantity of renewable energy that we need produced; and, thirdly, mitigating the impact of infrastructure projects on people, nature and landscapes.

Bishop of Norwich asks about preparation for COP 30

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answer on 25th June 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich asked His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in aiding the implementation of the Baku to Belém Roadmap in preparation for COP 30.

Bishop of Norwich asks about response to Israel-Iran conflict

The Bishop of Norwich asked a question on ensuring respect for international norms of armed conflict and humanitarian law on 19th June 2025, in response to a Government statement on the Iran-Israel conflict:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, those on these Benches join others in calling for Iran and Israel to draw back from war, especially the killing of civilians, and, as His Majesty’s Government have rightly said, prioritise restraint, diplomacy and dialogue. The noble Lord, Lord Purvis, rightly raised the fact that the conflict with Iran threatens to overshadow and move the focus away from the conflict in Gaza, and I am reassured by the Minister’s response to that. In both conflicts, though, civilians have been and are being targeted. What actions are His Majesty’s Government taking to ensure that internationally accepted norms of armed conflict are being respected, as well as the norms of humanitarian law?

Bishop of Norwich asks about tackling issue of derelict boats on waterways

The Bishop of Norwich asked a question on funding to aid in tackling the issue of derelict boats in rivers and estuaries on 19th June 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, the Broads Authority has had to spend £70,000 this year to raise two sunken boats in the Norfolk Broads. Will the Minister progress the recommendation in Defra’s Landscapes Review to remove the unnecessary complexities placed on the Broads Authority to account separately for income and expenditure from national park grant and from navigation, which would certainly enable the Broads Authority to undertake such work in a less complex way?

Bishop of Norwich asks about environmental impact of the tobacco industry

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answer on 5th June 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich asked His Majesty’s Government whether they plan to introduce mandatory extended producer responsibility for the tobacco industry or a ban on single-use cigarette filters to reduce environmental impact.

Bishop of Norwich asks about chalk stream recovery

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answer on 2nd June 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to publish the chalk stream recovery pack.

Bishop of Norwich asks about war graves in Gaza

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answer on 13th May 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of damage caused by the conflict in Gaza to (1) the Gaza War Cemetery and, (2) the Deir El Balah War Cemetery.

Armed Forces Commissioner Bill: Bishop of Norwich supports amendments on whistleblowing

On 30th April 2025, the House of Lords debated the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill in report. The Bishop of Norwich spoke in support of amendments to the bill tabled by Baroness Goldie to establish whistleblowing functions within the functions of the Commissioner:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, I support Amendments 3 and 5 in the names of the noble Baroness, Lady Goldie, and the noble Earl, Lord Minto. I am also very grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Coaker, for the way in which he has engaged with us on the Bill and, in particular listened well in the scrutiny stages.

Armed Forces Commissioner Bill: Bishop of Norwich supports amendments on families of service members

On 19th March 2025, the Bishop of Norwich spoke in favour of amendments to the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill regarding support for families of service members:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, it is a privilege to follow the noble Lord, Lord Shinkwin, and the reflections that he has offered the Committee. I rise to support Amendments 8 and 9. I am grateful to the noble Earl, Lord Minto, and the noble Baroness, Lady Goldie, for outlining their thinking around this issue because it goes to the heart of how we as a nation care for and see the well-being of our Armed Forces and their families, as part of the whole package that we offer to them.

As I think noble Lords know, I speak as the father of a member of the Armed Forces. It is often said that a parent is only as happy as their least happy child. On one level, I can imagine that it is also true that a member of His Majesty’s Armed Forces is only as happy as their least happy family member. So there is a pastoral duty here—one that is supported by many in the Armed Forces, including welfare organisations and our military chaplains—but both these amendments would help us really state the pastoral support that we as a nation feel is important for not only our Armed Forces personnel but their children, their families and their dependants.

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