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1229098
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2020-08-28more like thismore than 2020-08-28
answering body
Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept id 9 more like this
answering dept short name Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept sort name Church Commissioners remove filter
hansard heading Weddings: Coronavirus more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps he is taking to ensure the accuracy of guidance issue to people planning weddings to (a) protect the finances of those people and minimise disruption to weddings. more like this
tabling member constituency Huddersfield more like this
tabling member printed
Mr Barry Sheerman more like this
uin 81536 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2020-09-14more like thismore than 2020-09-14
answer text <p>Weddings are permitted in places of worship, providing certain public health criteria are met, including an advised maximum number of 30 people in attendance.</p><p>Up to date guidance for clergy on weddings and COVID-19 is provided on the Church of England website at: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2020-08/COVID%2019%20advice%20for%20Clergy%20Conducting%20Weddings%20v5.1.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2020-08/COVID%2019%20advice%20for%20Clergy%20Conducting%20Weddings%20v5.1.pdf</a></p> more like this
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
question first answered
less than 2020-09-14T16:11:52.887Zmore like thismore than 2020-09-14T16:11:52.887Z
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
previous answer version
46023
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
tabling member
411
label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman more like this
1220927
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2020-07-06more like thismore than 2020-07-06
answering body
Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept id 9 more like this
answering dept short name Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept sort name Church Commissioners remove filter
hansard heading Churches: Coronavirus more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what the timescale is for allowing churches to resume choir singing; and what guidance will be published for churches on resuming choir singing safely during the covid-19 outbreak. more like this
tabling member constituency Streatham more like this
tabling member printed
Bell Ribeiro-Addy more like this
uin 69712 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2020-07-10more like thismore than 2020-07-10
answer text <p>The timescale for allowing churches to resume choral singing is a matter for Public Health England and the Government. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government published updated guidance on the 9<sup>th</sup> July, which can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic-from-4-july/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic-from-4-july" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic-from-4-july/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic-from-4-july</a></p><p> </p> more like this
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
question first answered
less than 2020-07-10T17:43:20.523Zmore like thismore than 2020-07-10T17:43:20.523Z
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
previous answer version
36022
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
tabling member
4764
label Biography information for Bell Ribeiro-Addy more like this
1217932
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2020-06-25more like thismore than 2020-06-25
answering body
Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept id 9 more like this
answering dept short name Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept sort name Church Commissioners remove filter
hansard heading Churches: Coronavirus more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church of England has taken to provide financial support to single parish churches to avoid the redundancy, salary review and staff restructuring of employed musicians. more like this
tabling member constituency Streatham more like this
tabling member printed
Bell Ribeiro-Addy more like this
uin 65019 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2020-06-29more like thismore than 2020-06-29
answer text <p>In March, the Church Commissioners and Archbishops’ Council announced over £75m of liquidity support to dioceses and cathedrals. This money included allowing dioceses in financial need to access up to three months forbearance on sums required for the national clergy payroll [or clergy stipends] for a limited period and paying monthly grants in full for 2020. In May the National Church Institutions announced a diocesan grant scheme supported by the Church Commissioners, which totalled up to £35m of sustainability funding.</p><p> </p><p>The Church Commissioners are unable to make grants directly to Parochial Church Councils and parish churches. Parishes employ staff such as musicians, assistants, and lay workers in a variety of ways. Where the Parochial Church Council directly employs an individual, the individual would have been eligible to be placed on furlough under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).</p><p> </p> more like this
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
question first answered
less than 2020-06-29T15:33:57.577Zmore like thismore than 2020-06-29T15:33:57.577Z
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
tabling member
4764
label Biography information for Bell Ribeiro-Addy more like this
1217933
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2020-06-25more like thismore than 2020-06-25
answering body
Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept id 9 more like this
answering dept short name Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept sort name Church Commissioners remove filter
hansard heading Churches: Coronavirus more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church of England is taking to ensure that church musicians and choirs can safely resume their work as soon as possible under Government guidelines; and what assessment the Church has made of the implications for its policies of medical evidence on the transmission risk of choirs and congregations in church settings. more like this
tabling member constituency Streatham more like this
tabling member printed
Bell Ribeiro-Addy more like this
uin 65020 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2020-06-29more like thismore than 2020-06-29
answer text <p>The Church of England is working with the Government and Public Health England to restore choirs and singing to services as soon as it is safe to do so. There has been limited research available for Public Health England to use to make an informed assessment about the safety of singing, and the choir of Salisbury Cathedral is currently participating in a study organised by Public Health England to enable it to make these decisions in an informed manner. We await further guidance from the Government and Public Health England once these trials have been concluded.</p> more like this
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
question first answered
less than 2020-06-29T15:31:38.05Zmore like thismore than 2020-06-29T15:31:38.05Z
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
tabling member
4764
label Biography information for Bell Ribeiro-Addy more like this
1199503
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2020-06-02more like thismore than 2020-06-02
answering body
Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept id 9 more like this
answering dept short name Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept sort name Church Commissioners remove filter
hansard heading Churches: Coronavirus more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps he is taking to ensure that places of worship can open for (a) private prayer and (b) active worship in compliance with social distancing measures as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are lifted. more like this
tabling member constituency Bosworth more like this
tabling member printed
Dr Luke Evans more like this
uin 53638 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2020-06-09more like thismore than 2020-06-09
answer text <p>The Government has announced that from the 15<sup>th</sup> June Church of England places of worship may be opened for individual prayer, alongside those of other faiths.</p><p>The Church of England has been developing advice, following information from Public Health England and other bodies, to enable its churches to be opened safely, and has been communicating that to dioceses for planning purposes. Not all buildings will be able to open for individual prayer on the 15<sup>th</sup> June, and bishops will be discussing with local clergy the needs of each parish. We expect a phased reopening that takes into account local circumstances and the available resources to enable it to be done safely.</p><p>The House of Bishops will be issuing revised advice once the Government has published its own guidance, further to the statement made by Lord Greenhalgh on Saturday 6<sup>th</sup> June.</p> more like this
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
question first answered
less than 2020-06-09T17:13:07.423Zmore like thismore than 2020-06-09T17:13:07.423Z
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
tabling member
4781
label Biography information for Dr Luke Evans more like this
1196972
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2020-05-19more like thismore than 2020-05-19
answering body
Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept id 9 more like this
answering dept short name Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept sort name Church Commissioners remove filter
hansard heading Churches: Coronavirus more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what the Commissioners' timetable is for enabling churches to reopen safely for funeral services after the covid-19 lockdown. more like this
tabling member constituency York Central more like this
tabling member printed
Rachael Maskell more like this
uin 902797 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2020-05-19more like thismore than 2020-05-19
answer text <p>The Church Commissioners do not have responsibility for setting a timetable for the reopening of church buildings for funeral services. Current guidance from the House of Bishops is not to conduct funeral services in church buildings because of widely expressed concerns about parishes having capacity to conduct such funerals safely, including being able to clean churches thoroughly between services to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus. This is guidance, not instruction.</p><p> </p><p>We are acutely aware of the anguish of those not able to have or attend a funeral in their parish church in the current circumstances. Where it is requested a priest will be present to conduct a funeral service, either at a crematorium or at the churchyard. The House of Bishops meets regularly to review its guidance which will be updated in line with changing circumstances, and published on the Church of England website.</p><p> </p> more like this
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
question first answered
less than 2020-05-19T17:05:20.977Zmore like thismore than 2020-05-19T17:05:20.977Z
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
tabling member
4471
label Biography information for Rachael Maskell more like this
1196973
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2020-05-19more like thismore than 2020-05-19
answering body
Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept id 9 more like this
answering dept short name Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept sort name Church Commissioners remove filter
hansard heading Churches: Coronavirus more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what the Commissioners' timetable is for churches to reopen for baptisms, weddings and funerals following the covid-19 outbreak. more like this
tabling member constituency Huddersfield more like this
tabling member printed
Mr Barry Sheerman more like this
uin 902798 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2020-05-19more like thismore than 2020-05-19
answer text <p>The Church Commissioners do not have responsibility for setting a timetable for the reopening of church buildings for funeral services. Baptisms and weddings cannot at present be celebrated inside church buildings, and the relevant Cabinet Office and MHCLG guidance can be seen here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance#contents" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance#contents</a></p><p>Current guidance from the House of Bishops is not to conduct funeral services in church buildings because of widely expressed concerns about parishes having capacity to conduct such funerals safely, including being able to clean churches thoroughly between services to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus. This is guidance, not instruction. We are acutely aware of the anguish of those not able to celebrate significant life events such as baptisms, weddings and funerals in their parish church in the current circumstances. The House of Bishops meets regularly to review its guidance which will be updated in line with changing circumstances, and published on the Church of England website.</p>
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
question first answered
less than 2020-05-19T17:06:18.94Zmore like thismore than 2020-05-19T17:06:18.94Z
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
tabling member
411
label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman more like this
1196974
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2020-05-19more like thismore than 2020-05-19
answering body
Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept id 9 more like this
answering dept short name Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept sort name Church Commissioners remove filter
hansard heading Churches: Coronavirus more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment the Church of England has made of the potential effect on public health of reopening churches. more like this
tabling member constituency Chatham and Aylesford more like this
tabling member printed
Tracey Crouch more like this
uin 902801 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2020-05-19more like thismore than 2020-05-19
answer text <p>The House of Bishops meets regularly to review its own guidance to clergy in light of Government and public health advice.</p><p>On 5th May the House of Bishops issued new guidance, which can be seen at: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/news/house-bishops-backs-phased-approach-revising-access-church-buildings" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/news/house-bishops-backs-phased-approach-revising-access-church-buildings</a></p><p>While church buildings remain closed for public worship in line with Government advice, the Bishops agreed in principle to a phased approach to lifting restrictions, in time and in parallel with the Government's approach, with three broad stages. The first, effective immediately, allows clergy limited access to church buildings for activities such as streaming of services or private prayer, so long as the necessary hygiene and social distancing precautions are taken; the decision being made by individual clergy after discussion with their diocesan bishop. The second and third will see access for some rites and ceremonies, and for worship services with limited congregations meeting, when Government restrictions are eased to allow it.</p><p>Senior staff of the National Church Institutions have joined two of the Government’s ‘unlocking’ work streams, within the Department for Culture Media and Sport and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.</p><p> </p>
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
question first answered
less than 2020-05-19T17:08:02.397Zmore like thismore than 2020-05-19T17:08:02.397Z
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
tabling member
3950
label Biography information for Dame Tracey Crouch more like this
1196249
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2020-05-15more like thismore than 2020-05-15
answering body
Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept id 9 more like this
answering dept short name Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept sort name Church Commissioners remove filter
hansard heading Church Services: Attendance more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what is the average church attendance each week in (a) Rother Valley Constituency, (b) Yorkshire, and (c) England in each year of the last five years. more like this
tabling member constituency Rother Valley more like this
tabling member printed
Alexander Stafford more like this
uin 47487 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2020-05-19more like thismore than 2020-05-19
answer text <p>The most recent survey of church attendance was published in 2018, and the table below contains figures aggregated from 2014-18 using average weekly attendance figures at all age services. These figures are collected each year during four weeks in October.</p><p>The figures in the table below include adult and child attendance at Sunday and midweek church services and fresh expressions, but not attendance at services for schools. Special local services such as memorials to commemorate flooding – can lead to fluctuations in the figures.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>2016</p></td><td><p>2017</p></td><td><p>2018</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Rother Valley*</p></td><td><p>1,450</p></td><td><p>1,260</p></td><td><p>1,170</p></td><td><p>1,130</p></td><td><p>980</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Yorkshire*</p></td><td><p>82,600</p></td><td><p>82,800</p></td><td><p>77,600</p></td><td><p>75,500</p></td><td><p>75,200</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Church of England</p></td><td><p>975,300</p></td><td><p>959,900</p></td><td><p>921,700</p></td><td><p>893,900</p></td><td><p>870,900</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>More information can be found in the annual Statistics for Mission report: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/media/18763" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/media/18763</a></p><p>Parish boundaries do not coincide with constituency or county boundaries. Figures in the table are based on reasonable approximations as follows:</p><ul><li>The Rother Valley figure refers to the parishes in the Deanery of Laughton along with the parishes of Whiston and Wickersley.</li><li>The Yorkshire figure refers to the Dioceses of York, Leeds, and Sheffield.</li></ul>
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
question first answered
less than 2020-05-19T17:10:19.423Zmore like thismore than 2020-05-19T17:10:19.423Z
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
tabling member
4866
label Biography information for Alexander Stafford more like this
1195763
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2020-05-13more like thismore than 2020-05-13
answering body
Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept id 9 more like this
answering dept short name Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept sort name Church Commissioners remove filter
hansard heading Churches: Coronavirus more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what discussions he has had with the Diocese of Hereford on lost revenues resulting from the closure of places of worship during the covid-19 outbreak. more like this
tabling member constituency The Wrekin more like this
tabling member printed
Mark Pritchard more like this
uin 46581 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2020-05-18more like thismore than 2020-05-18
answer text <p>The Church Commissioners and National Church Institutions are in discussions with dioceses during this challenging period, including on the evolving financial impact. A series of structured interviews have been held with every diocese, including with the Diocese of Hereford at the end of April. Though too early for detailed conclusions, it was clear that the financial challenges will be significant.</p><p> </p><p>The Church announced a national package of financial support for dioceses on 27 March, providing funds to support liquidity in dioceses where this was needed, with a further announcement following on 14 May. See: <a href="https://mailchi.mp/churchofengland.org/update-financial-support-for-dioceses-and-cathedrals-in-light-of-the-coronavirus?e=fbaf3379f3" target="_blank">https://mailchi.mp/churchofengland.org/update-financial-support-for-dioceses-and-cathedrals-in-light-of-the-coronavirus?e=fbaf3379f3</a> We are continuing to consider how best dioceses can be further supported in terms of both immediate needs, and in strengthening their long-term missional health and financial sustainability</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
question first answered
less than 2020-05-18T16:10:25.88Zmore like thismore than 2020-05-18T16:10:25.88Z
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
tabling member
1576
label Biography information for Mark Pritchard more like this