Tag: Week in Westminster

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

This week bishops in the House of Lords led a debate on the House of Bishops’ Pastoral Letter for the 2015 General Election, spoke on the Government’s Cities & Local Government Devolution Bill and in a debate on empowering women in the developing world.  Bishops also asked questions on right to buy and religious freedom in Saudi Arabia. In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered written questions on female and LGBT clergy numbers, and asked a question about bats in churches. The Archbishop of Canterbury preached the sermon at the service to mark the opening of the new Parliament. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 8th -12th June 2015”

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

The State Opening of Parliament and the Queen’s Speech announcing the Government’s legislative proposals for the coming year took place on May 27th. The House of Lords debated the contents of the Gracious Speech over successive days, with several bishops taking part. Their speeches focused on international development, foreign affairs, children and families, education, the environment, housing, constitutional affairs and welfare reform. There were also two maiden speeches – from the Bishops of Leeds and Salisbury. Oral questions were also asked on apprenticeships and humanitarian aid.

In the House of Commons the newly appointed Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, answered her first written question, on the impact of bats in churches.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 28th May – 5th June 2015”

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

This week, bishops in the House of Lords took part in debates on the Modern Slavery Bill, the 2015 Budget statement, the EU & Russia, NHS public contracts, immigration detention and construction regulations.

The bishops also asked questions on rural deprivation, Nigeria’s Presidential election, the extractives industry and mental health,

The Lords Spiritual (Women) Act was granted Royal Assent. Parliament was prorogued and will return after the General Election in May.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 23rd-27th March 2015”

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

This week, bishops in the House of Lords took part in debates on affordable childcare, plain packaging of cigarettes and support for interpreters working in conflict zones.

The bishops also asked questions on access to justice, religious and ethnic minority communities in Iraq and Syria, homelessness, forestry and food security

The Second Church Estates Commissioner, the Rt Hon Canon Sir Tony Baldry MP, answered questions on funding mission and ministry and on Richard III and welcomed the Budget announcement of extra funding for church roof repairs.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 16th – 20th March 2015”

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

This week, the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill successfully completed its passage through Parliament and will shortly receive Royal Assent.

Bishops in the House of Lords took part in debates on credit & debt, the 70th anniversary of the Dresden bombing, and young people leaving foster care.

The bishops also asked questions on humanitarian aid in Iraq, homelessness, company pay, personal independence payments, Syrian refugees and the treatment of non-EU migrants.

Bishops took part in divisions on the Government’s Small Business and Enterprise Bill.

In the House of Commons the final question and answer session of this Parliament took place with the Second Church Estates Commissioner, the Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry MP, who was thanked for his service to the House.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 9th – 13th March 2015”

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

This week, bishops in the House of Lords took part in debates on the Modern Slavery Bill, Economic empowerment of women, Two State Solution, refuges for victims of domestic abuse and the new single use carrier bag charges

The bishops also asked questions on protecting academy schools funding, preventing destabilisation of South Sudan. They also received written answers to questions on the Somerset Rivers Authority and homelessness

Bishops took part in divisions on Modern Slavery Bill.

In the House of Commons the Second Church Estates Commissioner, the Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry submitted a written answer on behalf of the Church Commissioners on the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 2nd – 6th March 2015”

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

This week, bishops in the House of Lords took part in debates on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Mitochondrial Donation) Regulations, the Modern Slavery Bill, the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill and a debate on improvements to mental health services.

The Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill received its Committee stage. No amendments were proposed by Peers, and the Bill will now proceed to its Third Reading.

The bishops also asked questions on Syrian refugees, Broadband access for rural schools, victims of violence detained at Yarl’s Wood, freedom of religion in India, Gaza, library closures and security in Russia and Eastern Europe.

Bishops took part in divisions on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Mitochondrial Donation) Regulations, the Modern Slavery Bill and International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 23rd – 27th February 2015”

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

This week, bishops in the House of Lords led a debate on local welfare assistance for those in crisis and took part in debates on the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill, the Deregulation Bill and the Recall of MPs Bill.

They also asked questions on criminal proceedings for vulnerable adults, local welfare assistance schemes, local enterprise partnerships, voter registration, press freedom in Egypt and vacant properties.

Bishops took part in divisions on the Recall of MPs Bill and the Deregulation Bill.

In the House of Commons, the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered a written question on chancel repair liability.

Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 9th – 13th February 2015”

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

This week, bishops in the House of Lords took part in debates on the growth of small businesses, universal credit and the Pension Schemes Bill. They also asked questions on the criminalisation of the purchase of sex, credit unions, social security benefits, ebola and responded to a Government Statement on the Independent Panel Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

Bishops took part in divisions on the Government’s Deregulation Bill.

The Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines, was introduced as a member of the House of Lords.

In the House of Commons, the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered a written question on the consecration of bishops in the Church of England. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster, 2nd – 6th February 2015”

Welcome to the Church of England’s weekly round-up of activity in Parliament.

This week, bishops in the House of Lords took part in debates on Eritrea and Ethiopia, the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill, education reform and Palestine. Bishops also asked questions on Saudi Arabia, Boko Haram, faith and free schools, oil prices and flood control.

In the House of Commons, the Second Church Estates Commissioner answered questions on the Archbishop of York’s Book ‘On Rock Or Sand’, medical ethics, the Anglican Communion, financial education, women bishops and bats. Continue reading “Church of England Week in Westminster 26th-30th January 2015”