Contributions
922 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHistoric Cathedrals: Maintenance CostsMy hon. Friend continues to be an exemplary advocate for Lichfield cathedral, and I gently encourage other colleagues with cathedrals and major churches in their constituencies to…01 Dec 2022HANSARDChurch Investments: Environmental, Social and Governance LeadershipI thank my hon. Friend for his brilliant work of chairing the all-party parliamentary group on environmental, social and governance, which are so important. I am pleased that Olga…01 Dec 2022HANSARDChurch Investments: Environmental, Social and Governance LeadershipThe transition pathway initiative, of which the national investing bodies of the Church of England are co-founders, has supporters representing a combined $50 trillion under…01 Dec 2022HANSARD Unadopted Roads: New Housing EstatesI am aware that some unadopted roads go back decades and decades, but it does concern me that in a major new development on the east of Leighton Buzzard in my constituency, where…01 Dec 2022HANSARD Unadopted Roads: New Housing EstatesIn a typically insightful intervention, my right hon. Friend makes exactly the right point. If she is able to stay until the end of my speech, I will outline a number of potential…01 Dec 2022HANSARD Unadopted Roads: New Housing EstatesI am grateful to Mr Speaker for granting me this Adjournment debate on unadopted roads and the lack of facilities for new housing estates. I know that new housing can be a…01 Dec 2022HANSARDHistoric Cathedrals: Maintenance CostsI, too, thank Adrian Dorber very much for everything he has done as a highly effective Dean of Lichfield, not just for Lichfield cathedral, but for the city and the wider Church.…01 Dec 2022HANSARD Unadopted Roads: New Housing EstatesOn the last visit I did with Anglian Water in my constituency, I learned that water companies are not actually statutory consultees in new planning applications. The good local…01 Dec 2022HANSARDChristmas Celebrations and ServicesAgain, I commend my hon. Friend for the interest he shows in his local churches. He is absolutely right that these types of church event often attract families and children who…01 Dec 2022HANSARDChristmas Celebrations and ServicesYes, I very much agree with the hon. Gentleman. This is an important part of our cultural heritage, and the Church will continue to do that work.01 Dec 2022HANSARDCoronation of King Charles IIII can reassure my right hon. Friend. The anointing of the monarch goes back to biblical times, recognising the outpouring of God’s grace on us all, and the sovereign’s covenant to…17 Nov 2022HANSARDRural ClergyThe Church Commissioners are providing a 30% increase in funding over the next three years. It is important to remember that they provide under 20% of the total funding of the…17 Nov 2022HANSARDParish MinistryParish ministry is at the heart of the mission of the Church. The Church Commissioners will distribute £1.2 billion between 2023 and 2025 to support our mission and ministry—a 30%…17 Nov 2022HANSARDRural ClergyI can tell my hon. Friend that 24% of the population live in rural parishes, and are supported by 38% of total stipendiary clergy. The figures he asks for are not held centrally…17 Nov 2022HANSARDRural ClergyRural clergy play a crucial role at the heart of their communities, for which I know my hon. Friend is, like me, deeply grateful. I regularly raise this issue with the Church. In…17 Nov 2022HANSARDSupport over the WinterThe Church Commissioners have provided £15 million to help churches with their energy costs, so that they continue to act as places to worship Jesus but also stay open at other…17 Nov 2022HANSARDCoronation of King Charles IIIA service of holy communion will be at the heart of the coronation. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Earl Marshal and the coronation committee are planning the service, which…17 Nov 2022HANSARDParish MinistryI am grateful to the hon. Member, and I really appreciate his interest in these matters. As I have said, the Church Commissioners are increasing the funding to the frontline by…17 Nov 2022HANSARDParish MinistryI can tell my right hon. Friend, who I know takes a close interest in these matters, that by far the largest share of diocesan expenditure goes on parish clergy, and many diocesan…17 Nov 2022HANSARDSupport over the WinterMy hon. Friend is a powerful advocate for exactly this type of voluntary community action. The Church of England will always be at the centre of such endeavours, which can be…17 Nov 2022