My responsibilities relate to the work of the seven National Church Institutions, and I can give best-practice advice about diocesan and parish activity. I would be happy to meet with the Hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme to discuss his constituency and any specific concerns he may have. However, he may find a discussion with the Bishop of Lichfield and the team in the Diocese of Lichfield, who are responsible for the condition of the church estate in Newcastle-under-Lyme, more productive. I will write to him to arrange an introduction.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4676", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Marsha De Cordova"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Battersea"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Marsha De Cordova"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-11-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-11-01T16:22:23.8Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "9"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Church Commissioners"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Church Commissioners"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Church of England: Newcastle-under-Lyme"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, if she will meet with the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme to discuss the condition of the Church estate in that constituency.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5168", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle-under-Lyme"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Adam Jogee"} ], "uin" : "11198"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1719840", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Church Commissioners"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1719840/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Clewer Initiative was set up as a joint programme between the Church of England and the Trustees of the Community of St John the Baptist (known as the Clewer Sisters). It was launched in October 2017 with the backing of the then Prime Minister Theresa May and the Archbishop of Canterbury.<\/p>
It started as an initial three-year programme working to help the Church of England's 42 dioceses support victims of modern slavery and identify signs of exploitation in their local communities. Information about its work can be found here: https://theclewerinitiative.org/<\/a><\/p> Over the past seven years the Clewer Initiative has worked with a large network of volunteers drawn from across the Church of England. Sadly, the Trustees of CSJB feel unable to continue with funding and, in the absence of an alternative funding stream, the Clewer Initiative will close this summer. The National Church Institutions are currently working to ensure that the assets of the project, especially valuable tools such as the Car Wash App, which have led to many investigations and prosecutions for Modern Day Slavery, are transferred to other charities working in this field. The Church of England remains committed to combating modern day slavery and will consider other ways to continue its work in this area.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1453", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Selous"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Bedfordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Selous"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "27523"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-23T21:31:37.803Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "9"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Slavery"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, whether the Church of England has had discussions with the Clewer Initiative on tackling modern slavery in the last 12 months.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4512", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Caroline Ansell"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Eastbourne"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Caroline Ansell"}
], "uin" : "27522"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1719841", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1719841/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Clewer Initiative was set up as a joint programme between the Church of England and the Trustees of the Community of St John the Baptist (known as the Clewer Sisters). It was launched in October 2017 with the backing of the then Prime Minister Theresa May and the Archbishop of Canterbury.<\/p> It started as an initial three-year programme working to help the Church of England's 42 dioceses support victims of modern slavery and identify signs of exploitation in their local communities. Information about its work can be found here: https://theclewerinitiative.org/<\/a><\/p> Over the past seven years the Clewer Initiative has worked with a large network of volunteers drawn from across the Church of England. Sadly, the Trustees of CSJB feel unable to continue with funding and, in the absence of an alternative funding stream, the Clewer Initiative will close this summer. The National Church Institutions are currently working to ensure that the assets of the project, especially valuable tools such as the Car Wash App, which have led to many investigations and prosecutions for Modern Day Slavery, are transferred to other charities working in this field. The Church of England remains committed to combating modern day slavery and will consider other ways to continue its work in this area.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1453", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Selous"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Bedfordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Selous"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "27522"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-23T21:31:38.913Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "9"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Slavery"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, whether the Church of England has had discussions with the Clewer Initiative on the impact of its funding on its work; and whether the Church is taking steps to support the Clewer Initiative.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4512", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Caroline Ansell"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Eastbourne"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Caroline Ansell"}
], "uin" : "27523"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1715181", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1715181/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " On 9th<\/sup> April the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, issued the following short statement in response to the news that Layan Nasir, a member of an Anglican congregation in the occupied West Bank, had been arrested by Israeli forces.<\/p> \u201cI\u2019m shocked and deeply concerned by this news. Together with our Palestinian Christian brothers and sisters, I pray for Layan and her family - and for the congregation of St Peter\u2019s Anglican Church in the Occupied West Bank. Please pray for Layan\u2019s safety and swift release.\u201d The Bishop of Southwark, Christopher Chessun, joined the Archbishop\u2019s call for prayers and her release.<\/p> On 28th April the Archbishop renewed his appeal for the release of Layan Nasir, who I understand is being held in Damon Prison, in Israel. A spokesperson for Lambeth Palace told Sky News:<\/p> \u201cHe is deeply concerned to learn that she is now facing administrative detention for four months, without charge and with no due process for her, her family, or lawyers to challenge this. Such processes against what is already a deeply threatened minority are contrary to commitments given over the years. This, along with daily harassment of Christian laity and clergy in East Jerusalem, indicates the predicament that many Christians now face in the West Bank and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. As the Occupying Power, the State of Israel is obliged by International Law to protect those at risk.\u201d<\/p> The Bishop of Chelmsford, Guli Francis-Dehqani, met with members of the family of Layan Nasir last week during a visit to the Occupies Palestinian Territories. I understand from Church House officials that conversations are ongoing with both the Israeli and the British Government regarding Layan Nasir\u2019s release from administrative detention.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1453", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Selous"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Bedfordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Selous"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-17T13:34:51.43Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "9"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Layan Nasir"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what representations the Church has made to the Israeli government to secure the release of Layan Nasir from administrative detention.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/55", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Desmond Swayne"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "New Forest West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Desmond Swayne"}
], "uin" : "24356"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1698359", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1698359/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Church Commissioners and National Church Institutions provide support for the mission and ministry of all dioceses in the Church of England.<\/p> The Church Commissioners have made £340 million available to support a Diocesan Investment Programme overseen by the Strategic Mission and Ministry Board, which includes additional funding and resources for lowest-income communities. The Diocese of Lincoln benefits from the Lowest Income Communities Fund, which is directly supporting the stipendiary ministry of clergy in many areas such as Grimsby, Scunthorpe, Lincoln and Boston.<\/p> The Diocese of Lincoln has recently launched \u2018Time to Change Together\u2019, which is its shared vision for the future of the diocese and its presence in Greater Lincolnshire. You can find out more about the project here: https://www.lincoln.anglican.org/parish-support/a-time-to-change-together/<\/a> The Diocese bid for and received a grant from the Strategic Development Fund for a project called 'Resourcing the Urban Church' designed to revitalise churches of all traditions across the urban centres in the diocese.<\/p> Lincolnshire has one of the highest ratios of churches per head of the population in England, and the Diocese is committed to the stewardship of its historic churches and to supporting new worshipping communities. A new giving scheme has been developed to encourage congregations to support the flourishing of mission and ministry in the Diocese, and plans are being developed for an \u2018Open Churches Trust\u2019 to support smaller churches with maintenance and insurance advice.<\/p> The Diocese is developing new strategies to support clergy well-being. Preventing long-term vacancies and illness is a priority alongside finding sustainable solutions for parishes.<\/p> For further information about the work underway in Lincolnshire, please contact the area bishop The Rt Revd Dr Nicholas Chamberlain, Bishop of Grantham, whose details are here: https://www.lincoln.anglican.org/contact/directory/<\/a><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1453", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Selous"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Bedfordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Selous"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-25T12:19:23.81Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "9"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-03-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Churches: Lincolnshire"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church is taking to support churches in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir John Hayes"}
], "uin" : "20147"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1697792", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1697792/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The table below shows the number of confirmations conducted in the Church of England each year since 1994. Post 2009 figures can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-11/statisticsformission2022_tables.xlsx<\/a><\/p> Pre-2009 figures can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/about/data-services/resources-publications-and-data#na<\/a><\/p> Year<\/p><\/td> Number of confirmations<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 1994<\/p><\/td> 48,024<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 1995<\/p><\/td> 43,667<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 1996<\/p><\/td> 42,768<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 1997<\/p><\/td> 40,881<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 1998<\/p><\/td> 39,926<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 1999<\/p><\/td> 37,469<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2000<\/p><\/td> 36,387<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2001<\/p><\/td> 33,367<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2002<\/p><\/td> 33,425<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2003<\/p><\/td> 31,797<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2004<\/p><\/td> 30,425<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2005<\/p><\/td> 29,833<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2006<\/p><\/td> 29,380<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2007<\/p><\/td> 27,926<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2008<\/p><\/td> 26,972<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2009<\/p><\/td> 25,028<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2010<\/p><\/td> 22,349<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2011<\/p><\/td> 22,242<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2012<\/p><\/td> 22,540<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2013<\/p><\/td> 19,883<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2014<\/p><\/td> 18,028<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2015<\/p><\/td> 16,723<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2016<\/p><\/td> 15,917<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2017<\/p><\/td> 15,253<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2018<\/p><\/td> 14,475<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2019<\/p><\/td> 13,355<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2020<\/p><\/td> 2,165<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2021<\/p><\/td> 6,388<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2022<\/p><\/td> 10,855<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1453", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Selous"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Bedfordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Selous"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-12T13:14:53.36Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "9"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-03-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Christianity: Ceremonies"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, how many confirmations there were in each year since 1994.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4679", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Neil O'Brien"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harborough"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Neil O'Brien"}
], "uin" : "19960"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1697793", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1697793/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The National Church Institutions first started collecting attendance data centrally in the autumn of 2000; as a result, it is not possible to publish data for the period 1994-1999. A methodological change also took place between 2000 and 2003 which means statistics for those years are not directly comparable with the data now collected. The data displayed below shows the longest period of comparable figures available, from 2003-2022.<\/p> <\/p><\/td> Adult average weekly attendance<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Child average weekly attendance<\/strong><\/p><\/td> All age average weekly attendance<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Adult average Sunday attendance<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Child average Sunday attendance<\/strong><\/p><\/td> All age average Sunday attendance<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Adult average school service attendance<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Child average school service attendance<\/strong><\/p><\/td> All age average school service attendance<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2003<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 905,000<\/p><\/td> 218,000<\/p><\/td> 1,126,000<\/p><\/td> 802,000<\/p><\/td> 154,000<\/p><\/td> 959,000<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2004<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 896,000<\/p><\/td> 220,000<\/p><\/td> 1,119,000<\/p><\/td> 789,000<\/p><\/td> 151,000<\/p><\/td> 942,000<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2005<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 898,000<\/p><\/td> 218,000<\/p><\/td> 1,119,000<\/p><\/td> 791,000<\/p><\/td> 147,000<\/p><\/td> 941,000<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2006<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 894,000<\/p><\/td> 217,000<\/p><\/td> 1,115,000<\/p><\/td> 786,000<\/p><\/td> 145,000<\/p><\/td> 935,000<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2007<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 888,000<\/p><\/td> 205,000<\/p><\/td> 1,097,000<\/p><\/td> 779,000<\/p><\/td> 137,000<\/p><\/td> 919,000<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2008<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 877,000<\/p><\/td> 215,000<\/p><\/td> 1,094,000<\/p><\/td> 768,000<\/p><\/td> 139,000<\/p><\/td> 910,000<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2009<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 867,000<\/p><\/td> 211,000<\/p><\/td> 1,082,000<\/p><\/td> 758,000<\/p><\/td> 134,000<\/p><\/td> 895,000<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2010<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 851,000<\/p><\/td> 208,000<\/p><\/td> 1,062,000<\/p><\/td> 741,000<\/p><\/td> 130,000<\/p><\/td> 874,000<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2011<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 840,000<\/p><\/td> 207,000<\/p><\/td> 1,050,000<\/p><\/td> 728,000<\/p><\/td> 127,000<\/p><\/td> 858,000<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2012<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 843,000<\/p><\/td> 202,000<\/p><\/td> 1,049,000<\/p><\/td> 733,000<\/p><\/td> 128,000<\/p><\/td> 864,000<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2013<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 836,000<\/p><\/td> 157,000<\/p><\/td> 994,000<\/p><\/td> 721,000<\/p><\/td> 124,000<\/p><\/td> 845,000<\/p><\/td> 23,000<\/p><\/td> 103,000<\/p><\/td> 126,000<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2014<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 831,000<\/p><\/td> 144,000<\/p><\/td> 975,000<\/p><\/td> 711,000<\/p><\/td> 119,000<\/p><\/td> 830,000<\/p><\/td> 35,000<\/p><\/td> 113,000<\/p><\/td> 148,000<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2015<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 819,000<\/p><\/td> 140,000<\/p><\/td> 959,000<\/p><\/td> 698,000<\/p><\/td> 115,000<\/p><\/td> 813,000<\/p><\/td> 40,000<\/p><\/td> 131,000<\/p><\/td> 171,000<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2016<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 791,000<\/p><\/td> 132,000<\/p><\/td> 922,000<\/p><\/td> 671,000<\/p><\/td> 108,000<\/p><\/td> 780,000<\/p><\/td> 42,000<\/p><\/td> 139,000<\/p><\/td> 182,000<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2017<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 767,000<\/p><\/td> 127,000<\/p><\/td> 895,000<\/p><\/td> 653,000<\/p><\/td> 104,000<\/p><\/td> 757,000<\/p><\/td> 46,000<\/p><\/td> 152,000<\/p><\/td> 198,000<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2018<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 752,000<\/p><\/td> 120,000<\/p><\/td> 872,000<\/p><\/td> 635,000<\/p><\/td> 96,000<\/p><\/td> 730,000<\/p><\/td> 40,000<\/p><\/td> 137,000<\/p><\/td> 177,000<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2019<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 734,000<\/p><\/td> 120,000<\/p><\/td> 854,000<\/p><\/td> 613,000<\/p><\/td> 94,000<\/p><\/td> 707,000<\/p><\/td> 41,000<\/p><\/td> 141,000<\/p><\/td> 182,000<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2020<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 317,000<\/p><\/td> 28,000<\/p><\/td> 345,000<\/p><\/td> 273,000<\/p><\/td> 24,000<\/p><\/td> 298,000<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td> n/a<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2021<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 531,000<\/p><\/td> 75,000<\/p><\/td> 605,000<\/p><\/td> 447,000<\/p><\/td> 62,000<\/p><\/td> 509,000<\/p><\/td> 18,000<\/p><\/td> 71,000<\/p><\/td> 89,000<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2022<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 567,000<\/p><\/td> 87,000<\/p><\/td> 654,000<\/p><\/td> 477,000<\/p><\/td> 70,000<\/p><\/td> 547,000<\/p><\/td> 36,000<\/p><\/td> 128,000<\/p><\/td> 164,000<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/p> Attendance figures are collected from churches for the first 4 Sundays of October and in the following Monday-Saturday midweek periods - this exercise is referred to as the "October count\u201d. Figures include attendance at baptisms, as these usually take place in service, but not attendance at weddings and funerals. Attendance at services for schools is NOT included in the average weekly and average Sunday attendance figures but is reported separately.<\/p> In 2013, the question was changed to specifically ask about attendance at school services. Prior to 2013, it was apparent that some churches included such attendance in their reported figures while others did not. The change in question during this year resulted in a large change in the average weekly attendance from 2012 to 2013 and a more consistent practice across the church as a whole.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1453", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Selous"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Bedfordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Selous"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-12T13:23:00.667Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "9"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-03-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Church Services: Attendance"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what average weekly attendance was in each year since 1994.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4679", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Neil O'Brien"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harborough"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Neil O'Brien"}
], "uin" : "19961"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1697794", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1697794/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Church of England law around church buildings is complex, but there are two main types; a consecrated church building where the bishop has performed a rite of consecration, setting the church building (and font and altar) aside for public worship, and a place of worship that has been licensed for that purpose by the bishop (not consecrated).<\/p> The Church of England does not have a rite of "deconsecration" as such \u2013 it is more usual to refer to the 'closure' of a church that is consecrated. The process of closure is a legal one, set out in the Mission and Pastoral Measure\u202f2011 and its predecessor legislation. The bishop's consecration of a church building for worship cannot be removed. However, the legal effects of consecration can be withdrawn in order to allow the disposal of the building and a new use to be found for the building.<\/p> Since 1994 there have been around 650 closure schemes for consecrated church buildings brought forward under the Mission and Pastoral Measure. In some of those cases, the closed church building will have been sold to other Christian denominations for worship use, and in some cases some occasional worship continues, even if the closed church building is being used for community activities, for example.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1453", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Selous"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South West Bedfordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Selous"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-25T12:27:05.307Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "9"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-03-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Redundant Churches"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, how many churches were deconsecrated in each year since 1994.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4679", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Neil O'Brien"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harborough"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Neil O'Brien"}
], "uin" : "19962"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1697991", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Church Commissioners"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1697991/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Church Commissioners and National Church Institutions provide support for the mission and ministry of all dioceses in the Church of England.<\/p> The Church Commissioners have made £340 million available to support a Diocesan Investment Programme overseen by the Strategic Mission and Ministry Board, which includes additional funding and resources for lowest-income communities.<\/p> In Carlisle Diocese, the Lowest Income Communities Fund has provided £560,000 a year to support a range of projects in Barrow, South and West Carlisle, Workington, Whitehaven, and Maryport. Additional grants from the Strategic Development Fund totalling £ 1.6 million over five years have been awarded. The project funds five new pioneer enabler roles, which in addition to training and support, will help the Diocese reach those groups who are not typically represented in congregations in Carlisle.<\/p> Support is available to all churches in Penrith and The Border and across the Diocese with maintenance and management of church buildings via the Buildings for Mission fund, which will provide small grants for repairs and restoration and a dedicated support officer to advise parishes.<\/p>
As the Established Church, every member of the public, whatever their belief, living within a parish in England has the right to access baptism, marriage and burial services of the Church of England as long as performing that service is lawful under Canon Law.
The detailed data on the number of baptism and confirmation services is published in the annual data \u2018Statistics for Mission\u2019.<\/p>