St Edmundsbury and Ipswich – Page 3 – The Church of England in Parliament

Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asks about training programmes for installation of carbon efficient heating

The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asked a question on training programmes for installers of home heating systems during a debate on the 2030 Emission Reductions Target on 5th September 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich: I will be very brief. A crucial component of the decarbonisation of heat in homes agenda is to have enough skilled technicians and engineers to install the various heating solutions. Can the Minister update the House on the progress of creating the necessary training opportunities?

Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich raises need for comprehensive strategy to tackle poverty

On 22nd June 2023, the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asked a question on whether the government had considered the need for a comprehensive anti-poverty strategy, following a statement on cost of living support:

The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich: My Lords, we recognise the value of the immediate and urgent provision that is being suggested and those points being argued for. However, in the light of our experience of the deepening crisis, I wonder whether, because of the interlocking nature of so many factors, now is the time to be looking at a comprehensive anti-poverty strategy.

Votes: National Security Bill

On 21st June 2023, the House of Lords debated Commons amendments to the National Security Bill. Votes were held on further amendments to the bill, in which Bishops took part:

Votes: Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill

On 20th June 2023, the House of Lords debated the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill. Votes were held on amendments to the bill, in which Bishops took part:

British Nationality (Regularisation of Past Practice) Bill: Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich urges communication on legislation

The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich spoke in a debate on the British Nationality (Regulation of Past Practice) Bill on 19th June 2023, requesting assurances from the government on their plans to expedite the intent and communication of the legislation once it had been passed:

The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich: My Lords, I thank the Minister for his clear and helpful introduction. I do not wish to detain the House long in offering my full support for the Bill, which addresses a vital issue. I should declare half an interest: my wife is German, so we have dual nationality children. Obviously, they do not fall within the scope of this, but noble Lords will appreciate why I may be attracted to issues such as this. I wholeheartedly welcome the Bill and commend the Government for the proactive steps they have taken speedily to address this unusual technical issue within the existing legal framework.

Levelling Up & Regeneration Bill: Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich supports amendments protecting ancient woodlands

On 3rd May 2023, the House of Lords debated the Levelling Up & Regeneration Bill in committee. The Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich spoke in support of amendments to the bill tabled by Baroness Young of Old Scone which would require consultations to take place on developments affecting ancient woodlands:

The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich: My Lords, I too add my support for the amendment from the noble Baroness, Lady Young, and pay tribute to the work she has done in this area. I declare an interest as someone who grows trees and has contributed to the green canopy project in Suffolk. We managed to plant 1.3 million trees under that auspice, which was more than a third of the national total. We were completely committed through various networks of people to this and, indeed, to the preservation of ancient woodlands.

Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich asks about reasons for increasing numbers of gambling machines

The Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich asked a question on the rationale behind increasing the number of gambling machines on 3rd May 2023, in response to the government’s proposals on gambling reform:

The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich: My Lords, I echo the concerns that have been expressed about advertising, particularly the susceptibility of youngsters to it, but I want to raise a different question. Can the Minister explain the rationale for increasing the number of gambling machines, which are already deeply unpopular with local authorities, require more policing due to the antisocial behaviour associated with them, and often, as was said by the previous speaker, are targeted at poorer areas?

Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich asks about training and skills for installation of low carbon technology

The Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich asked a question on training for installation of low carbon technology during a debate on the government’s net-zero strategy on 3rd May 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich: My Lords, as I understand it, one of the barriers to installing new low-carbon technology is the shortage of skilled labour to carry out this work. Can the Minister tell us what plans there are to invest in and expand training and skills programmes for the installation of low-carbon technology such as heat pumps, EV chargers and solar panels?

Levelling Up & Regeneration Bill: Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich supports development of housing for older people

On 18th April 2023, the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich spoke in support of amendments to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill regarding the importance of housing for older people:

The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich: I shall speak very briefly in support of the group of amendments, on none of which would I dare wish to claim to be an agnostic. I particularly support Amendment 207 proposed by the noble Lord, Lord Best, to which my colleague the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Chelmsford has added her name. The amendment addresses the important role of local authorities to consider older groups’ housing needs when developing local plans. Together with Amendment 221 from the noble Lord, Lord Best, these changes to the Bill would deliver a more effective response to the shortfall in appropriate housing for older people at all levels of government.

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