Tag: York

Neighbourhood Planning Bill: Archbishop of York supports amendment on new towns

york-170117-cOn 23rd February the House of Lords considered the Government’s Neighbourhood Planning Bill at Report Stage. The Archbishop of York, Most Revd and Rt Hon John Sentamu spoke in support of an amendment from Baroness Parminter on new towns. Baroness Parminter said “The amendment introduces the principle of localism to the New Towns Act to enable the delivery of the highest quality new garden villages and towns by locally accountable elected local planning authorities rather than, as at present, any such development corporation being established on the initiative of a local authority and agreed by the Secretary of State”. The amendment was withdrawn after debate and following assurances from Government.

The Archbishop of York: My Lords, I spoke at Second Reading about building flourishing communities, not just houses, and emphasised the contribution of affordable housing and green spaces to communal life. If land has been compulsorily purchased, surely the powers need to be given back to the local community to decide what kind of housing will go there. The Government have been very good at taking measures to increase the supply of affordable housing. However, the number of completed social rented homes has decreased from just under 40,000 in 2010-11 to just 6,550 in 2015-16, and affordable housing completions more generally, including other tenures, are at the lowest level for 24 years. The recent government housing White Paper showed a greater focus on homes to rent and it is important that that includes genuinely affordable social homes to rent, which is the only affordable housing tenure suitable for those on the lowest incomes. Continue reading “Neighbourhood Planning Bill: Archbishop of York supports amendment on new towns”

Votes: High Speed (London–West Midlands) Bill

On 24th January 2017 votes took place in the Lords on amendments to the Government’s High Speed Rail Bill. The Archbishop of York and Bishop of Chester took part. Continue reading “Votes: High Speed (London–West Midlands) Bill”

Archbishop of York speaks on importance of building communities as well as homes

On 24th January 2017 Labour Peer Baroness Andrews moved “That the Grand Committee takes note of the Report from the Select Committee on National Policy for the Built Environment (Session 2015–16, HL Paper 100).” The Archbishop of York, Most Revd John Sentamu, spoke in the debate, highlighting the need not only for new homes but for community resources too:

york-170117The Archbishop of York: My Lords, it is essential that more homes are built to support the population of the United Kingdom. Parliament’s own publication estimates that a minimum of 230,000 new homes need to be built each year, a level of building not sustained since the 1970s, and two to three times above the current levels of supply. Some 81,000 households were estimated to be homeless or in temporary accommodation in 2013-14. It is young people in their late teens and 20s who are most unable to afford rents, particularly in the private sector. The gap between average household income and house price continues to rise, further reducing affordability for many households. Therefore, as affordable new-build housing is essential, the quality and effort put into designing the living environment and communal space becomes even more important. Continue reading “Archbishop of York speaks on importance of building communities as well as homes”

Archbishop of York responds to question from UKIP Peer on Muslim tenets of Taqiyya and Al Hijra

york-170117-bOn 24th January 2017 UKIP Peer Lord Pearson of Rannoch asked the Government “whether, as part of their strategy against Islamist terrorism, they will encourage United Kingdom Muslim leaders to re-examine the Muslim tenets of Taqiyya and Al Hijra.” He mentioned the Archbishop of Canterbury in his follow up question. The Archbishop of York, Most Revd John Sentamu, asked a question in response:

The Archbishop of York: My Lords, first, would the Minister agree that the term Taqiyya came into being at a time of terrible persecution? It did not get invented because people did not want to be difficult or awkward. Of my friends who escaped Amin’s torture, some left dressed as women. You would not say these Christians wanted simply to be deceptive; things have to be read in context. Secondly, the lecture by the most reverend Primate the Archbishop of Canterbury was a one-hour lecture in France; he is more than happy to repeat it if your Lordships’ House wants.

Continue reading “Archbishop of York responds to question from UKIP Peer on Muslim tenets of Taqiyya and Al Hijra”

Higher Education and Research Bill: Archbishop of York supports amendment on improving diversity in universities

On the 23rd January 2017, Lord Addington moved an amendment to the Government’s Higher Education and Research Bill during its Committee stage, about access to advice about improving the diversity of university student populations. The Archbishop of York, the Most Rev. and Rt. Hon Dr. John Sentamu, spoke in support of the amendment, which was debated but not put to a vote:

york-170117-cThe Archbishop of York: My Lords, the amendment is asking the bodies concerned to seek advice from the commission and those who advise that tells them it would be good to do it this way. Because of its permissive nature, I hope the Minister will see this as helping. As somebody from a minority ethnic group, I have always benefited from the human rights commission. The advice that I have just mentioned is not intrusive; it is a good thing. Universities should hold before themselves, in all their aspects, a mirror, to see whether their leadership, in different places, reflects the nature of the university. Continue reading “Higher Education and Research Bill: Archbishop of York supports amendment on improving diversity in universities”

Archbishop of York supports Neighbourhood Planning Bill

york-170117-cOn 17th January 2017, the Government’s Neighbourhood Planning Bill had its Second Reading in the House of Lords. The Archbishop of York, Most Revd and Rt Hon John Sentamu, spoke to express his support for the broad principles of the Bill.

The Archbishop of York My Lords, I hope I will not abuse the great privilege you have given me by allowing me, as the 24th speaker, to speak in the gap.

I support the Bill because of the three areas it covers: neighbourhood planning, local development plans and compulsory purchase. Continue reading “Archbishop of York supports Neighbourhood Planning Bill”

Archbishop of York asks Government about situation of those seeking asylum in the UK after Brexit

york-170117On 17th January 2017, Lord Bridges of Headley repeated a Government statement on Britain’s withdrawal from thew EU. The Archbishop of York, Most Revd and Rt Hon John Sentamu, asked a follow up question. 

The Archbishop of York My Lords, there are good things in the Prime Minister’s Statement. I have no intention of turning it into a Christmas tree on which to hang many baubles so that it collapses under the weight of them. Nevertheless, although the Prime Minister referred in her Statement to immigration and to welcoming the brightest and the best, I am surprised that, as a former Home Secretary who worked hard on immigration and the issue of asylum seekers in particular, she made no reference to asylum seekers. Continue reading “Archbishop of York asks Government about situation of those seeking asylum in the UK after Brexit”

Archbishop of York – free trade must also be fair trade

york-170117-bOn 17th January, Viscount Ridley asked Her Majesty’s Government “what plans they have to celebrate the bicentenary of David Ricardo’s principle of comparative advantage, and the case for free trade”. The Archbishop of York, Most Revd and Rt Hon John Sentamu, asked a follow up question. 

The Archbishop of York Does the Minister agree that the principle of comparative advantage works only if trade is not only free but also fair? Continue reading “Archbishop of York – free trade must also be fair trade”

Archbishop of York calls for investment and devolution for the north of England

On the 12th January 2017 Baroness Massey of Darwen held a debate in the Lords, “that this House takes note of the Institute for Public Policy Research’s annual State of the North report, and the case for equality of opportunity and sustainable productivity.” The Archbishop of York, Most Revd and Rt Hon Dr John Sentamu, called for greater investment in and devolution to the north to create a more diverse economy that draws on the skills of northern people. 

Archbishop of YorkThe Archbishop of York: My Lords, noble Lords will not be surprised that an Archbishop of York is keen to contribute to this debate on the state of the north of England, but, as I remind myself, one title held by all Archbishops of York is Primate of England and Metropolitan.

In focusing on the north, I want to avoid any suggestion that the north and south of England can be spoken of as if a latter-day Hadrian’s Wall has been built from the Dee to the Humber. We are one nation, and I, for one, want to see the bonds and sympathies between all people of this land strengthened. It is very good that the state of the north is being debated today in your Lordships’ House. The state of the north is important because, unless we get things right in the north, the whole country will be more divided, less prosperous and unhappier. In short, the whole country needs the north to flourish.

Continue reading “Archbishop of York calls for investment and devolution for the north of England”

Archbishop of York pays tribute to HM Queen on her 90th birthday

Archbishop of YorkOn 21st April 2016 the House of Lords discussed a motion in the name of the Leader of the House, Baroness Stowell, that a Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty The Queen as follows:

“Most Gracious Sovereign,

We, Your Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer Your Majesty the warmest congratulations of this House on the occasion of Your Majesty’s ninetieth Birthday;

To assure Your Majesty of our deep affection and highest regard;

And to join our prayers with those of the Nation and Commonwealth for the long continuance of Your Majesty’s health and happiness.”

The Archbishop of York, Most Revd and Rt Hon John Sentamu, gave the tribute on behalf of the Lords Spiritual:

The Archbishop of York: My Lords, on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury and all the Lords Spiritual, I wish to endorse most heartily the proposed message of congratulations to Her Majesty, by divine providence Queen, head of the Commonwealth and defender of the faith.

At her coronation, Archbishop Fisher placed on the Queen’s wrists two newly-made gold bracelets, presented by a number of the overseas realms and territories as a symbol of the Commonwealth. As he did so, he said these words:

“Receive the Bracelets of sincerity and wisdom, both for tokens of the Lord’s protection embracing you on every side; and also for symbols and pledges of that bond which unites you with your Peoples”.

Continue reading “Archbishop of York pays tribute to HM Queen on her 90th birthday”