Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mundell and Marsha De Cordova

Thursday 16th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Marsha De Cordova]

I would be very happy to meet my hon. Friend.

[David Mundell (Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale) (Con)]

Can I ask the hon. Lady to encourage the Church Commissioners to share best practice and their experience of sustaining small churches in rural communities with the Church of Scotland? Sadly, in my constituency we have seen almost the wholesale closure of every small church in a rural area.

[Marsha De Cordova]

Again, I am sorry to hear about the right hon. Member’s constituency and the number of churches that are no longer in operation. I will certainly ensure that whatever best practice the Church Commissioners have can be shared with the Church of Scotland.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mundell and Marsha De Cordova

Thursday 3rd July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Marsha De Cordova]

My hon. Friend is a good representative for the people of Harlow. In his constituency, St Mary Magdalene church runs a vibrant Sunday school and mothers’ union, with lots of events and activities for all the community. St Stephen’s church runs a parent and toddler group while also supporting local care homes. St Paul’s and St Mary’s churches partner with the local food bank and run a Bounty club with the Michael Roberts Charitable Trust, offering good, healthy food at a low cost.

[David Mundell (Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale) (Con)]

With the closure of many churches in rural communities in England and in Scotland, too, are the commissioners concerned that people living in rural areas, particularly those on low incomes, might not be able to access worship within easy reach of their own communities?

[Marsha De Cordova]

The right hon. Gentleman asks an important question. The Church values all its rural communities, and that is why we have so many different projects to ensure that places of worship not only exist, but operate as a community hub to ensure that people in those local areas have places to go, whether that is for worship, a local food bank, or a mother and baby group.