Asked by: Lord Bishop of Bristol (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to church buildings in the delivery of the Long-Term Plan for Towns.
Answered by Baroness Swinburne - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Bristol (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have figures on the number of places of worship open in the UK.
Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth
The Registrar General for England and Wales has a statutory duty to maintain a list of all places of worship in England and Wales which is available for the public to view on Places of worship registered for marriage - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Bristol (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government how much revenue is raised from (1) local churches, chapels and meeting houses, and (2) all places of worship, from Insurance Premium Tax.
Answered by Baroness Penn - Minister on Leave (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State)
HMRC does not hold the information requested.
Insurance Premium Tax returns do not include a breakdown of the tax due on specific products, as this may impose an excessive administrative burden on customers.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Bristol (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they will appoint the next Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The role of the Anti-Slavery Commissioner (IASC), as set out in the 2015 Modern Slavery Act, is to encourage good practice in the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of slavery and human trafficking offences and the identification of victims.
The process to recruit a new IASC follows the principles set out within the Cabinet Office Governance Code on Public Appointments.
A decision on the appointment is under consideration.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Bristol (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many bids were received from organisations to provide information sessions on employment rights for overseas domestic workers; whether any of the bids have been successful; and when they expect the sessions to begin.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Following extensive market engagement, a full commercial tender exercise was conducted, which attracted only two bids to provide the information and advice sessions for Overseas Domestic Workers. Neither bid was successful.
All domestic workers are though provided with an information leaflet explaining their rights and how to access help should they need it. Further help and information is also available online at:
http://www.gov.uk/domestic-workers-in-a-private-household-visa/your-employment-rights
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Bristol (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office on 7 October 2020 (96911), what further plans they have to publish guidance on what constitutes reasonable grounds for missing the deadline for the EU Settlement Scheme.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
In line with the Citizens’ Rights Agreements, the Government has made clear, where a person eligible for leave under the EU Settlement Scheme has reasonable grounds for missing the 30 June 2021 deadline for applications by those resident in the UK by the end of the transition period, they will be given a further opportunity to apply.
We will publish clear, non-exhaustive guidance in the near future on what constitutes reasonable grounds for missing the deadline. Yet our focus remains on communicating information about the scheme and helping people to apply within the deadline.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Bristol (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Uganda about reports (1) of intimidation, (2) that that government restricted access to online services and social media, and (3) of other irregularities, during the general election in that country on 14 January.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has significant concerns which remain unaddressed including the treatment of opposition candidates in the run-up to and since the elections, the internet shutdown during the elections and subsequent restrictions on social media, and the treatment of journalists throughout this period. The Minister for Africa raised the importance of British officials being accredited to observe the elections with Ugandan Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa and with the Ugandan High Commission on 12 January 2021. The UK deployed 51 Election Observers across Uganda on election day, covering over 120 polling stations. They observed and evaluated the elections and reported back to the British High Commission in Kampala. We have been consulting with the diplomatic community in Kampala, civil society actors, other international observers, and the Government of Uganda to ensure we have a comprehensive and accurate picture of the elections. We have also urged the Government of Uganda to respond to the concerns raised. As the Minister for Africa and the British High Commissioner stated in their tweets on 14 January, we are concerned that the internet shutdown in Uganda impacted the transparency of the elections and broader freedom of expression. The British High Commission Kampala raised their concerns on the internet shutdown with the Government of Uganda which was eventually lifted on 18 January. Following the Presidential election results on 16 January, the Minister for Africa set out in a statement our significant concerns about the overall political climate surrounding the elections and has urged the Government of Uganda to meet its international human rights commitments.
The treatment of opposition figures post-election including Robert Kyagulanyi is unacceptable and the Minister for Africa expressed his concerns about this in his tweet on 19 January. We welcome the High Court of Uganda's decision of 25 January that the de facto house arrest of Kyagulanyi was unlawful and unconstitutional and that these restrictions have now been lifted. The British High Commission Kampala pressed the Ugandan authorities to end these unacceptable restrictions on Robert Kyagulanyi's liberty. Our High Commissioner in Kampala continues to meet political actors from all parties and met Kyagulanyi on 27 January 2021. They discussed the political situation in Uganda, the restrictions to political freedoms before and after the elections and the concerns raised over electoral processes. The High Commissioner urged all parties to reject violence, engage in peaceful dialogue and follow due process to address any electoral irregularities. As a long-standing partner to Uganda, and a steadfast advocate for Ugandan democracy, the United Kingdom will continue to follow post-election developments closely.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Bristol (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Safeguarding) on 4 September (HC77656), to what extent they consulted non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on the design and delivery of the Support for Migrant Victims scheme; which NGOs they engaged with; and whether they intend to engage with NGOs during the evaluation of the pilot.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
We very much welcome, and are now reviewing, feedback from the sector on the draft prospectus for the Support for Migrant Victims scheme, including the duration of the pilot. We will consider all options, including future sustainability, should demand for the scheme outstrip the budget already allocated.
As well as providing support to migrant victims of domestic abuse, one of the key objectives of the scheme is to gather more information on the scale of the problem, and on which types of migrants it most significantly affects. Therefore, while we recognise that information being shared with the Home Office may deter some victims from seeking support, it will not be possible to measure the effectiveness of the scheme, or develop long term policy solutions, if there is no such exchange of information.
We are, however, reconsidering the proposals to provide as much reassurance as possible that information will be shared securely and will not routinely be shared with other parts of the Home Office. In developing the scheme we engaged with 24 specialist organisations and groups.
These were: Amnesty International, The Angelou Centre, Asiana Women’s Project, BAWSO Wales, End Violence Against Women Campaign, The Equality and Human Rights Commission, Imkaan, Kurdish and Middle Eastern Women’s Organisation, Latin American Women’s Rights Service, Liberty, London Black Women’s Project, Middle Eastern Women and Society Organisation, Migrants’ Rights Network, Project 17, Refuge, Refugee Women, Rights of Women, Safety 4 Sisters Manchester, Sisters for Change, Southall Black Sisters, Step Up Migrant Women Coalition, Welsh Women’s Aid, Women for Refugee Women and Women’s Aid. The second phase of the review consisted of a series of focus groups and meetings with organisations that specialise in providing support to migrant victims of domestic abuse with no recourse to public funds.
Since then, we have held an engagement webinar with the sector on 22 October and are reviewing the feedback from sector organisations. At the webinar we consulted with Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation, Latin American Women’s Rights Organisation, End Violence Against Women, Southall Black Sisters, Imkaan, Karma Nirvana, Hestia, Women’s Aid Scotland, The Angelou Centre, Women’s Aid, Catch 22, We Care Housing and Support, Victim Support and SafeLives. We are currently giving thought to the evaluation process, and will look to share findings with the wider sector soon.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Bristol (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact that sharing the immigration status of a migrant victim of domestic abuse with the Home Office may have on (1) a victim’s ability to report any such abuse; and (2) the effectiveness of the Support for Migrant Victims scheme.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
We very much welcome, and are now reviewing, feedback from the sector on the draft prospectus for the Support for Migrant Victims scheme, including the duration of the pilot. We will consider all options, including future sustainability, should demand for the scheme outstrip the budget already allocated.
As well as providing support to migrant victims of domestic abuse, one of the key objectives of the scheme is to gather more information on the scale of the problem, and on which types of migrants it most significantly affects. Therefore, while we recognise that information being shared with the Home Office may deter some victims from seeking support, it will not be possible to measure the effectiveness of the scheme, or develop long term policy solutions, if there is no such exchange of information.
We are, however, reconsidering the proposals to provide as much reassurance as possible that information will be shared securely and will not routinely be shared with other parts of the Home Office. In developing the scheme we engaged with 24 specialist organisations and groups.
These were: Amnesty International, The Angelou Centre, Asiana Women’s Project, BAWSO Wales, End Violence Against Women Campaign, The Equality and Human Rights Commission, Imkaan, Kurdish and Middle Eastern Women’s Organisation, Latin American Women’s Rights Service, Liberty, London Black Women’s Project, Middle Eastern Women and Society Organisation, Migrants’ Rights Network, Project 17, Refuge, Refugee Women, Rights of Women, Safety 4 Sisters Manchester, Sisters for Change, Southall Black Sisters, Step Up Migrant Women Coalition, Welsh Women’s Aid, Women for Refugee Women and Women’s Aid. The second phase of the review consisted of a series of focus groups and meetings with organisations that specialise in providing support to migrant victims of domestic abuse with no recourse to public funds.
Since then, we have held an engagement webinar with the sector on 22 October and are reviewing the feedback from sector organisations. At the webinar we consulted with Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation, Latin American Women’s Rights Organisation, End Violence Against Women, Southall Black Sisters, Imkaan, Karma Nirvana, Hestia, Women’s Aid Scotland, The Angelou Centre, Women’s Aid, Catch 22, We Care Housing and Support, Victim Support and SafeLives. We are currently giving thought to the evaluation process, and will look to share findings with the wider sector soon.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Bristol (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend (1) to extend the duration, and (2) to increase the budget, of the Support for Migrant Victims Scheme pilot, in the event that demand outstrips the existing level of support provided.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
We very much welcome, and are now reviewing, feedback from the sector on the draft prospectus for the Support for Migrant Victims scheme, including the duration of the pilot. We will consider all options, including future sustainability, should demand for the scheme outstrip the budget already allocated.
As well as providing support to migrant victims of domestic abuse, one of the key objectives of the scheme is to gather more information on the scale of the problem, and on which types of migrants it most significantly affects. Therefore, while we recognise that information being shared with the Home Office may deter some victims from seeking support, it will not be possible to measure the effectiveness of the scheme, or develop long term policy solutions, if there is no such exchange of information.
We are, however, reconsidering the proposals to provide as much reassurance as possible that information will be shared securely and will not routinely be shared with other parts of the Home Office. In developing the scheme we engaged with 24 specialist organisations and groups.
These were: Amnesty International, The Angelou Centre, Asiana Women’s Project, BAWSO Wales, End Violence Against Women Campaign, The Equality and Human Rights Commission, Imkaan, Kurdish and Middle Eastern Women’s Organisation, Latin American Women’s Rights Service, Liberty, London Black Women’s Project, Middle Eastern Women and Society Organisation, Migrants’ Rights Network, Project 17, Refuge, Refugee Women, Rights of Women, Safety 4 Sisters Manchester, Sisters for Change, Southall Black Sisters, Step Up Migrant Women Coalition, Welsh Women’s Aid, Women for Refugee Women and Women’s Aid. The second phase of the review consisted of a series of focus groups and meetings with organisations that specialise in providing support to migrant victims of domestic abuse with no recourse to public funds.
Since then, we have held an engagement webinar with the sector on 22 October and are reviewing the feedback from sector organisations. At the webinar we consulted with Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation, Latin American Women’s Rights Organisation, End Violence Against Women, Southall Black Sisters, Imkaan, Karma Nirvana, Hestia, Women’s Aid Scotland, The Angelou Centre, Women’s Aid, Catch 22, We Care Housing and Support, Victim Support and SafeLives. We are currently giving thought to the evaluation process, and will look to share findings with the wider sector soon.