Asked by: Lord Bishop of Manchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of the impact of section 63 of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 on the operation of the UK’s modern slavery provisions (1) in prisons, and (2) across the wider population.
Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth
“The Government assessed the Impact of Section 63 of the Nationality and Borders Bill (now Act) prior to Royal Assent and will continue to assess its impact going forward. The published Impact Assessments for the Nationality and Borders Bill, including the impact of Section 63, can be found here:
Equalities Impact Assessment: Nationality and Borders Bill: Equality Impact Assessment (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Economic Impact Assessment: Impact Assessment (parliament.uk)”
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Manchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement by African Faith Leaders on 8 August calling for a reduction of debt across African countries.
Answered by Baroness Penn
The Government notes the statement by African Faith Leaders and we are working with our G20 partners to ensure swift progress and effective implementation of debt treatments under the Common Framework to deliver a long-term, sustainable approach to dealing with debt vulnerabilities. The Paris Club and the G20 have been clear that private creditors must participate in restructurings on terms at least as favourable as those provided by the official sector.
The UK is also championing greater transparency around sovereign lending and borrowing, which plays an important role in supporting the debt sustainability of developing countries. While adhering to the G20 Operational Guidelines for Sustainable Financing and OECD sustainable lending principles, the UK has also put addressing the nexus between climate and debt at the top of its international agenda through pioneering the use of climate resilient debt clauses (CRDCs).
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Manchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will provide fuel support to those living on licensed boats with no permanent mooring, many of whom are on low incomes or pensioners.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government is keen to support these households living on licensed boats with no permanent mooring and to ensure that they can receive the Alternative Fuel Payment via the Alternative Fund where eligible. We are currently working to find an acceptable method for these households to provide proof of eligibility, whilst protecting public funds, so they can claim the Alternative Fuel Payment via the Alternative Fund.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Manchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure an (1) adequate, and (2) diverse, supply of food for those of (a) Orthodox Jewish faith, and (b) other faiths, in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)
We recognise the importance of ensuring that everyone in Northern Ireland is able to observe their chosen faith fully, and without hindrance. This includes those of Orthodox Jewish faith, who rely on free access to kosher meats and groceries.
We have previously been made aware that a supplier decided to stop supplying kosher foods to Northern Ireland. They explained that this was owing to difficulty for them complying with the Official Controls Regulation which applies in Northern Ireland by virtue of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
We worked closely with those concerned to identify alternative options, and an alternative GB supplier of kosher foods was identified.
We are not aware of any similar issues facing those of other faiths in Northern Ireland, but we do know that the Protocol is still causing real problems. It is our preference to resolve these problems through talks with the EU, but in the meantime the Government’s Northern Ireland Protocol Bill will fix the practical problems that the Protocol has created.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Manchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the outcomes of the International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief on 5 to 6 July; and what steps they are taking, if any, to review their strategy on freedom of religion or belief following that Conference.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) hosted by the UK brought together governments, faith and belief leaders and civil society for discussions to address challenges to the enjoyment of the right to FoRB, and had positive outcomes. The Conference gave a platform to those persecuted for their religion or belief. Forty-seven governments, international organisations and other entities pledged action in support of FoRB. Thirty four countries joined the UK in signing up to a set of statements found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/international-ministerial-conference-on-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-2022-conference-statements. The Foreign Secretary outlined FCDO progress in implementing recommendations from the Bishop of Truro's report and noted the breadth of religion and belief groups that suffer from persecution. I [Lord Ahmad] announced new UK funding for support for defenders of FoRB, as well as funding and expertise for countries prepared to make legislative changes to protect FoRB.
Following the Conference, the UK Government remains committed to defending FoRB for all, and promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities. Promoting the right to FoRB is one of the UK's longstanding human rights priorities, and as other human rights are, FoRB will continue to be considered in relevant Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office external and internal thematic or country strategies.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Manchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Pakistan regarding the cases of (1) Qaisar Ayub, and (2) Amoon Ayub, who have been imprisoned and sentenced to death for blasphemy.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We oppose the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle and have made that clear to the Government of Pakistan. We are deeply concerned at the misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan. We continue to press for speedy and fair trials for those accused of blasphemy, including cases such as Qaiser and Amoon Ayub, and urge the authorities to ensure the safety of those charged with blasphemy. Most recently, the British High Commissioner in Islamabad raised the misuse of the blasphemy laws in his meeting last month [in June] with Pakistan's new Human Rights Minister, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada.