Bishop David’s Duty Week in the House of Lords
This week, Bishop David fulfilled his role as Lords Spiritual by drawing on his work within the diocese to bring informed, values-based insight to public policy discussions.
The Lords Spiritual are senior bishops of the Church of England who sit in the House of Lords, contributing to debates on legislation and national matters. Their role is to offer perspectives shaped by pastoral experience, ethical reflection, and engagement with communities.
This week, Bishop David fulfilled this role by drawing on his work within our diocese, including his involvement as a trustee of charities and his position on national committees. His contributions reflected the broader responsibilities of the Lords Spiritual: to bring informed, values-based insight to public policy discussions.
Below is a summary of his speeches this week:
Bishop David Commends the Work of Prison Chaplains
On Monday afternoon’s session of the House of Lords, Bishop David commended the vital work of prison chaplains with young people and asked how they can be better supported and resourced in their roles.
Bishop David Advocates for the Improvement of Healthcare in Gaza
Later in the day, Bishop David spoke in the debate on Gaza and the preservation of the ceasefire. He noted that the last three functioning ICU beds are in the Al-Ahli Anglican hospital and asked how health services can be protected and improved in Gaza.
Bishop David Raises Concerns About Barriers to Girls’ Education
During a debate on Official Development Assistance, Bishop David raised concerns about barriers to girls’ education, specifically early pregnancy often resulting from coercion by older men or family pressure. He highlighted that this issue significantly affects school completion rates for young girls in various regions. He asked what measures His Majesty’s Government could take to prevent such circumstances and better support girls in continuing their education.
Bishop David Responds to Huntingdon Attack
Later in the evening, Bishop David addressed the House of Lords following the Huntingdon recent train incident, acknowledging the bravery of responders and the psychological impact on those affected. He stressed the importance of timely public communication on these incidents to reduce speculation. He supported increased deployment of trained responders on long-distance trains and discussed the use of CCTV and facial recognition technology, highlighting concerns about algorithmic bias. Bishop David also addressed the need for fair stop and search practices, advocating for officer training in unconscious bias. Finally, he questioned whether crime deterrence is more influenced by the likelihood of arrest than by sentencing severity.
Bishop David Speaks on the Future of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
On Wednesday, during a debate on the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s draft updated code of practice for services, public functions and associations, Bishop David welcomed the Minister’s emphasis on accuracy over speed. He asked whether the forthcoming appointment of a new EHRC chair would be used as an opportunity to reset the organisation.
Bishop David Calls for Ban on Asylum Seekers Being Able to Work to be Lifted
In the House of Lords, Bishop David spoke to his amendment that seeks to lift the ban on asylum seekers undertaking paid work. He highlighted the economic benefits, including reduced public spending and increased tax revenue, and warned that the current restrictions lead to exploitation and unsafe working conditions.
He also noted strong public and business support for reform, and urged the Government to consider the change as a step toward improving integration, reducing dependency, and lowering the cost of asylum hotels.
