Commons
Oral Questions
Northern Ireland
8 July 2026
2 contributions
Community Cohesion
3. What discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on community cohesion in Northern Ireland.
The scenes we witnessed in Belfast last month were truly horrific. The knife attack was an abhorrent act, and I pay tribute to the courage of those who intervened to help, but what followed in the days afterwards was equally disturbing. Innocent people were targeted because of the colour of their sk…
Commons
Oral Questions
Justice
30 June 2026
Knife Crime: Custodial Sentences
Ten days ago, 17-year-old Jamal Coombes was killed in my constituency as a result of knife crime. Every young person deserves to live safely and fulfil their potential. His life was taken too soon. What actions are this Government taking right now to have a more co-ordinated approach with schools, p…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
30 June 2026
National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation
I pay tribute to Baroness Amos for the report she has published, which lays bare the scale of racism and discrimination in maternity and neonatal care. This is not a surprise to anyone; it is an issue that I and many other hon. Members in this place have been raising for years. I welcome the recomme…
Commons
Oral Questions
Work and Pensions
29 June 2026
Unemployed Young People
I thank my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for his answers and the work he is leading on for young people. I recently visited a Jobcentre Plus office to meet the team and see some of the fantastic work they are doing to get our young people into work, but what struck me was that I had to vi…
Commons
Statutory Instrument
23 June 2026
2 contributions
Clergy Conduct Measure (HC 221)
I beg to move,
That the Committee has considered the Clergy Conduct Measure (HC 221).
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairwomanship, Ms Lewell. I know that for many colleagues across the House the prospect of being on a Delegated Legislation Committee considering Church of England legislatio…
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his very thorough welcoming of this Measure, and for wanting to ensure that we support it. As I said in my opening remarks, this is a progressive step forward. It brings much transparency to the process and more fairness to all, whether that is a complainant or s…
Commons
Oral Questions
Church Commissioners
18 June 2026
3 contributions
Support for Christians in Palestine
The Church remains steadfast in its support for Palestinians. The relentless attacks on the Christian population in Palestine and the wider region by the Israeli Government are abhorrent. We have also seen Christian communities in Lebanon cut off, with Palestinian refugees being the main target ther…
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important issue. It is clear that the Israeli Government are breaching international law, and this must be called out. The attacks on Palestinian Christians, and indeed any Palestinians, are totally wrong, and we need them to stop. The Bishops of Southwark, Gl…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Church Commissioners
18 June 2026
3 contributions
Places of Worship Renewal Fund
The places of worship renewal fund was announced at the start of this year and formally launched in May. Historic England is managing the operation of the new fund on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The first application window closed on 14 June and the second round is expecte…
The National Church Institutions are very conscious that the new places of worship fund is not available in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. My hon. Friend is correct to say that there has been a conscious decision by the Government to move away from the old VAT rebate scheme to a grants-based s…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Church Commissioners
18 June 2026
3 contributions
Cost of Living: Support for Families
The Church delivers community projects across the country to support individuals and families with the cost of living. These programmes offer practical support, companionship and advice to those facing hardship, demonstrating the Church’s ongoing commitment to serving and standing with all our commu…
I join my hon. Friend in noting the incredible work in his constituency and the work of Rev. Jokey at both St Paul’s and St Mary’s churches. I believe that St Paul’s runs the Bounty café, in association with the Harlow food bank.
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Church Commissioners
18 June 2026
2 contributions
Churches: Disabled Access
The Church of England is committed to improving accessibility, so that all who wish to attend churches, whether for worship or community activities, are able to do so. Parishes may apply to the parish accessibility fund for up to £50,000 or a small grant of up to £5,000 for project proposals to impr…
I thank my hon. Friend for his question and note all his work in this area; he is a true champion for disabled people, especially since coming to this place. The opening of the Changing Places toilet in St Paul’s is incredibly welcome and, as he points out, it will open up access to that historic sp…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
16 April 2026
Women’s Health Strategy
I welcome the Government’s renewed women’s health strategy and their efforts to tackle the ethnic disparities that still exist in the healthcare system. Placing women’s voices at the heart of the strategy is absolutely the right approach, but does my hon. Friend the Minister recognise that there are…
Commons
Oral Questions
Church Commissioners
16 April 2026
2 contributions
Small Churches
The Church of England supports small, often rural, churches through targeted grants, practical tools and locally focused support. That includes the minor repairs and improvements fund, net zero grants, free digital tools such as the MyFundAccounting software, and the parish giving scheme. The Buildi…
The diocese of Portsmouth has £2 million to support parishes in low-income areas, and a further £4 million for clergy, lay leadership and church development. Parishes such as St Nicholas, Hilsea, can access the funding and support from the diocese and the national Church institutions team, and I und…
Commons
Oral Questions
Church Commissioners
16 April 2026
3 contributions
Archbishop of Canterbury
The installation of the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury was a truly historic moment; she is the first woman archbishop. I thank you, Mr Speaker, for representing the House at that important and momentous occasion, alongside the Prime Minister.
The Archbishop of Canterbury sees herself as a shepherd of the flock, with five broad priorities: bringing confidence in the gospel; pastoral work; showing Christian hope; offering hospitality; and being a faith and prophetic voice. Given her previous experience as a nurse, she cares deeply about pa…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Church Commissioners
16 April 2026
3 contributions
Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme
We are still awaiting details of the replacement scheme, following the confirmation of the end of the listed places of worship grant scheme in January. As I mentioned in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket (Peter Prinsley), I recently met the Minister for Herita…
I hope that both St Paulinus church and Christ church will be eligible for the new places of worship renewal fund. While we await publication of further guidance, I again advise my hon. Friend that churches can also contact their local diocesan office for further advice and support. I would also be …
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Church Commissioners
16 April 2026
4 contributions
Places of Worship Renewal Fund
It is good to see my hon. Friend back in his place after his injury. I understand that he was running with his children when it happened.
He couldn’t keep up with his children, obviously! [ Laughter. ] Apologies, Mr Speaker.
The new places of worship renewal fund will be managed by Historic England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The fund totals £92 million over four years and will support capital repairs to…
+2 more contributions in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Church Commissioners
16 April 2026
3 contributions
Child Poverty
Mr Speaker, it always feels like I am getting my exercise in at Church questions!
Through community programmes, the Church provides a significant contribution to the local economy, amounting to around £55 billion. That includes food banks, warm spaces, credit unions, school clubs and other forms of…
That is an excellent question from my hon. Friend. Yes, the Church works continuously to develop local churches together and interfaith networks, encouraging all faith communities to work collaboratively to support local communities, and building support and strong networks. A good example of that i…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Church Commissioners
16 April 2026
2 contributions
Extremism
The Church is concerned about the growth of extremism, including Christian nationalism, and bishops have established a working group to promote unity and support parishes with theological, practical and pastoral resources to counter extremism locally.
As the hon. Member will know, the issue of the persecution of Christians abroad has come up before, and the Church obviously takes it seriously. As I highlighted in my initial answer, last year the Church established a working group that seeks to provide support for bishops and senior clergy, with r…
Commons
Oral Questions
Church Commissioners
16 April 2026
2 contributions
Project Spire
The Church engages with the Charity Commission on a range of issues, and the Church Commissioners have held informal discussions with it on Project Spire, which is the Church’s response to address its historical connections to the transatlantic enslavement of Africans.
I could refer the right hon. Member to the many answers I have given to written and oral questions on this issue. As I have said, the Church is having informal discussions with the Charity Commission, and it is currently preparing an application, but it has not yet been submitted.
Commons
Oral Questions
Church Commissioners
16 April 2026
3 contributions
Children and Young People
Parishes across England run tens of thousands of community projects, including parent and toddler groups, holiday clubs, and breakfast and after-school provision. Under its vision 2020 strategy, the Church of England aims to double the number of children and young people in congregations by 2030. Th…
I express my thanks to all the churches in my hon. Friend’s constituency for their work in supporting families and young people in Telford, and I especially congratulate Rev. Laura Lenander, Rev. Jo Farnworth and Rev. Andy Ackroyd. By opening their facilities throughout the week, they provide safe a…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Church Commissioners
16 April 2026
2 contributions
Christians in Palestine
The Church remains steadfast in its support for Palestinians. The Bishops of Southwark, Gloucester, Chelmsford and Norwich have publicly highlighted their concerns by condemning the increased settler violence and calling for the reopening of holy places. They have joined His Holiness the Pope and th…
The closure of the Holy Sepulchre by the Israeli Government was totally unacceptable. It was an unprecedented step, and representations by all Churches were made at the highest level. The treatment of pilgrims and worshippers by the Israel Defence Forces, and the additional movement restrictions acr…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
14 April 2026
Knife Crime
I thank the Minister for her statement, and welcome the Government’s plan to halve knife crime in a decade. In my constituency we have seen far too many lives taken as a result of knife crime—indeed, just last month, another young life was lost when a 25-year-old was killed. As such, it is really im…
Commons
Debate
26 March 2026
4 contributions
Transport Accessibility for Disabled People
I congratulate my hon. Friend on her opening speech. Does she agree that society’s disabling barriers prevent disabled people from being able to have accessible transport, and that the Government and others need to understand that we have to change the infrastructure? That is how we are going to cre…
I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Brentford and Isleworth (Ruth Cadbury) on her sterling work as Chair of the Transport Committee, and I thank the Backbench Business Committee for providing time for us to debate what I think is a very important issue.
It is no secret that I have been a l…
+2 more contributions in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Education
2 March 2026
Phone Use in Schools
I am pleased that the Government are looking at ways to protect our children and young people when it comes to the use of screens. It is vital that teachers, parents and young people have strong guidance in place, as we know that excessive screen time can have an impact on eye healthcare, so will th…
Commons
Oral Questions
Church Commissioners
26 February 2026
2 contributions
Sudan Conflict: Christian Population
The Anglican communion is deeply alarmed by the worsening humanitarian catastrophe, which has been described by regional bishops as “almost unbearable”. Christian communities are among the hardest hit and are facing mass killings, sexual violence and famine. Millions of people have been displaced, a…
I, too, attended the launch of the Open Doors world watch list last month, and I agree that the testimonies shared by those who have fled persecution were powerful and moving. The Bishop of Leeds, who has visited Sudan extensively, has repeatedly raised the issues facing the Sudanese people in the o…
Commons
Oral Questions
Church Commissioners
26 February 2026
2 contributions
Historical Forced Adoptions: Formal Apology
The Church of England has expressed heartfelt sorrow and regret that anyone has been hurt. The National Church Institutions are engaging with a range of stakeholders, including, most importantly, those people who were directly affected.
The Church recognises the profound pain experienced by many mothers and adoptees affected by historical forced adoption practices, and it is sobering to hear the accounts from mothers and their children whose lives have been adversely affected by what happened to them in maternity homes, including t…