On 5th February 2026, the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, Rt Revd Dr Joanne Grenfell, was introduced to the House of Lords and took her seat on the Bishops’ Benches:
Tag: St Edmundsbury and Ipswich
Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich supports increase in defence spending
The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asked a question on raising public awareness of the need for funding of the armed forces on 28th January 2025:
The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich: My Lords, may I pick up a point raised by both the noble Baronesses on spending? I have always supported a considerable increase in spending on defence and share the frustration at the speed at which we are reaching it. My concern is that I am not sure the British public recognise that need. How are the Government proposing to raise awareness in a positive way that will support such an increase in spending?
Continue reading “Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich supports increase in defence spending”Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asks about ensuring proper safeguarding in faith and community spaces
The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asked a question on ensuring the safety of community spaces on 20th January 2025, in response to a government statement on investigations into child sexual exploitation and abuse:
The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich: My Lords, I also pay tribute to victims and survivors in this regard, recognising that the failure to respond perpetuates and prolongs their suffering, and recognising—as noble Lords will all know—that the Church of England is facing significant challenges in putting its own house in order in that regard. I want to ask, therefore, a wider question on faith communities, all of which provide places of gathering and moral and social influence, and all of which strive to make those places as safe as possible. What conversations are continuing with leaders of faith communities to support them in that vital work?
Continue reading “Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asks about ensuring proper safeguarding in faith and community spaces”Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asks about armed forces accommodation
The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich received the following written answer on 11th December 2024:
The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asked His Majesty’s Government:
- what assessment they have made of the progress made over the last 18 months in improving the maintenance of the accommodation of military personnel.
- what plans they have to ensure that armed forces accommodation is sufficiently prepared for winter.
- what progress they have made regarding the ownership and upgrading of married accommodation for serving personnel.
Bishop of St Edmundsbury asks about appointment of Independent Armed Forces Commissioner
The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich received the following written answer on 22nd November 2024:
The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asked His Majesty’s Government whether the appointment of the independent Armed Forces Commissioner for the UK will take place this year.
Continue reading “Bishop of St Edmundsbury asks about appointment of Independent Armed Forces Commissioner”Votes: Victims and Prisoners Bill
On 30th April 2024, the House of Lords debated the Victims and Prisoners Bill in the report stage. Votes were held on amendments to the bill, in which Bishops took part:
Votes: Victims and Prisoners Bill
On 16th April 2024, the House of Lords debated the Victims and Prisoners Bill. Votes were held on amendments to the bill, in which Bishops took part:
Votes: Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill
On 16th April 2024, the House of Lords debated Commons reasons and amendments to the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill. Votes were held on further amendments to the bill, in which Bishops took part:
Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asks about accommodation for members of the armed forces
The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich received the following written answer on 27th March 2024:
The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asked His Majesty’s Government what consultation they undertook with service personnel and their families regarding the Modernised Accommodation Offer for the armed forces.
Continue reading “Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asks about accommodation for members of the armed forces”Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asks about environmental land management and sustainable farming initiatives
The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asked a question on ongoing assessment of environmental land management and sustainable farming schemes during a discussion on food security on 26th March 2024:
The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich: My Lords, I indicate my interests as listed in the register and pay tribute to farmers. As the Minister has said, the priorities are food production and environmental quality, including rebuilding biodiversity, restoring clean air and water and prioritising the rebuilding of healthy soils. What ongoing assessment is being made of the current ELMS and SFI programmes to meet these aims?
Continue reading “Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asks about environmental land management and sustainable farming initiatives”
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