On 19th March 2026, the House of Lords debated the Pension Schemes Bill. Votes were held on amendments to the bill, in which Bishops took part:
Votes: Pension Schemes Bill
Tag: Southwell and Nottingham
Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about disruption of railway lines
The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked a question on the cost to business and trade caused by flooding affecting railway lines in the East Midlands on 19th March 2026:
The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham: My Lords, in light of the repeated flooding of key routes operated by East Midlands Railway in the area that I serve, particularly the Erewash flood plain near Ilkeston, as well as the Trent Valley, what assessment have the Government made of the cost effect on businesses from loss of trade and overall productivity, and the wider social costs that arise, when railways are not functioning properly due to persistent flooding?
Continue reading “Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about disruption of railway lines”Votes: Crime and Policing Bill
On 18th March 2026, the House of Lords debated the Crime and Policing Bill, including amendments on protest, terrorism, and abortion. Bishops took part on votes on several amendments:
Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about role of faith in urban regeneration
The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked a question on the role of churches in urban renewal during a discussion on regeneration of high streets and town centres on 18th March 2026:
The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham: My Lords, although the 10-year Pride in Place funding is a welcome step towards longer-term investment, and there are other funds available for town centre regeneration, some towns in Nottinghamshire, such as Mansfield and Newark, continue to face increasing vacancy rates, declining footfall and concerns about safety in the town centres. What assessment have the Government made of the role of churches and other community groups using vacant shops to set up services that create social capital locally? Will the Minister reassure the House that faith communities and charities are enabled to apply for the various funds?
Continue reading “Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about role of faith in urban regeneration”Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about BBC World Service
The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked a question on the role of the BBC World Service in faith education, during a discussion on the sustainability of the service on 17th March 2026:
The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham: My Lords, the World Service has been particularly effective at communicating issues of faith and freedom of religion, and, notably, at addressing misinformation during times of global conflict. In the light of the increasing importance of this, what steps are the Government taking to ensure that it is well placed to play an increasing educative role in the understanding of faith?
Continue reading “Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about BBC World Service”Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about changes to wedding celebrant law
The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked a question on the issues associated with commercial wedding celebrants during a discussion on the legalisation of humanist weddings on 16th March 2026:
The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham: My Lords, I welcome the Government’s intention to make it easier for couples to marry in legally binding ceremonies that reflect their religious, or non-religious, beliefs. However, I am concerned by the potential direction of travel of some aspects of these reforms, particularly the possible authorisation of this new category of commercial celebrants, which the Minister has referred to. I understand that, as has already been acknowledged, Humanists UK shares this concern. Can the Minister set out how the Government will ensure that safeguards are in place to protect against the commercialisation of weddings?
Continue reading “Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about changes to wedding celebrant law”Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about arts education
The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham received the following written answer on 5th January 2025:
The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the closure of arts-based courses at universities and colleges on the culture and economy of towns and cities.
Continue reading “Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about arts education”Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about role of historic churches in urban renewal
The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked a question on revitalisation of historic city centre churches during a discussion on urban renewal on 11th December 2025:
The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham: My Lords, has the Minister considered the significance of historic church buildings in city centre revitalisation? In my diocese, for instance, the recent renewal of St Mary Magdalene Church in Newark has not only repaired the grade 1 listed building but significantly developed the town’s cultural and economic vitality. There is uncertainty about the future scheme for VAT relief for listed churches, and the cap introduced last year affected long-planned projects around the country. What assessment have His Majesty’s Government made of the impact of that and of continuing the scheme beyond March next year without the cap?
Continue reading “Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about role of historic churches in urban renewal”Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about trauma training for armed forces chaplains
The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked a question on specialist trauma training for armed forces chaplains, during a discussion on support for victims of sexual violence in the armed forces on 9th December 2025:
The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham: My Lords, given that chaplains routinely provide partial support for victims of crime, including sexual offences, can the Minister outline what steps His Majesty’s Government are taking to ensure that Armed Forces chaplains receive specialist trauma-informed training so that they can support survivors of sexual violence? Is such training consistent across the services?
Continue reading “Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about trauma training for armed forces chaplains”Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about support for care-leavers accessing higher education
The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked a question on support provided for care-leavers entering higher education during a discussion on reducing the level of young people not in work, education or training on 8th January 2025:
The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham: My Lords, care-experienced young people are particularly at risk of being not in work, education or training. Has the Minister taken note of the support that universities, such as Nottingham Trent University, provide to care leavers in admissions, finance and transition, while also securing affordable, suitable and stable accommodation for them and estranged young people? What assessment have His Majesty’s Government made of the additional support that care leavers need to stay in education? Can the Government ensure that this kind of specific support is available more consistently across universities and for apprenticeships too?
Continue reading “Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about support for care-leavers accessing higher education”
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