Annual Parish Meeting forms now available for 2026
All of the diocesan forms that an annual parish meeting needs are now available for 2026. Download them here.
Read the storyMonday 2 February: Crime and Policing Bill (Clause 191)
On Monday 2 February, Bishop Stephen spoke in the Committee Stage of the Crime and Policing Bill regarding an amendment tabled in the Commons known as Clause 191: Removal of women from the criminal law related to abortion.
The full transcript of his comments can be found at: Crime and Policing Bill – Hansard – UK Parliament
Tuesday 3 February: Tackling Child Poverty Strategy
On Tuesday 3 February, the bishop asked a supplementary to his own oral questions. This was in relation to asking His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to facilitate consultation and collaboration with faith-based and voluntary sector organisations to deliver the Our Children, Our Future: Tackling Child Poverty strategy, published on 5 December 2025. He said:
“I thank the Minister for her Answer. I know she is deeply aware that faith communities play a vital role in supporting children and families. The right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Derby was grateful for her visit last year, and I look forward very much to her forthcoming visit to Grimsby.
“However, I am concerned that faith is not mentioned more prominently in the Government’s child poverty strategy—indeed, it is not referenced at all in chapter 2, “Reducing Child Poverty in Partnership”.
“So I ask the Minister to say more about how faith organisations will be vital to codelivery and how the Government intend to take further steps to draw on the local knowledge, experience and ongoing action of faith communities in order to implement their strategy and drive down child poverty.”
A full transcript of the conversation can be found at: Child Poverty: Faith-based and Voluntary Sector Organi – Hansard – UK Parliament