Marsha De Cordova MP: speeches

Speeches

• 27 Feb 2025 · Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme · Hansard source

  More

  The hon. Member makes an important point, and raises an issue that affects many churches. The £25,000 cap works for smaller projects, but it will not go far enough for larger projects, such as the one in his constituency. The church that I attend, Holy Trinity in Clapham, is experiencing similar challenges. I am happy to meet him.

• 27 Feb 2025 · Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme · Hansard source

  More

  As I set out in Church Commissioner questions in January, the listed places of worship scheme is an effective way to deliver transformational benefits to local communities. The Government’s extension of the scheme is very welcome, but there are a number of unanswered questions about the impact of the changes to the scheme.

• 27 Feb 2025 · Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme · Hansard source

  More

  The hon. Member has raised this issue at Church Commissioner questions previously, and he is right to continue to do so. Although the scheme is being extended until March 2026, we do not have a long-term plan or solution. It is only right that the Government should set out their plans. We know that in larger-scale projects costing over £125,000, not all the VAT can be returned. It is important that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport comes up with a solution to ensure that the listed places of worship scheme can continue.

• 27 Feb 2025 · Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme · Hansard source

  More

  I will take my hon. Friend’s question back to see if we can set up a meeting. As she highlighted, many churches will be missing out on vital funds to carry out necessary repairs, particularly those that have already started work. If that work extends beyond the March 2026 deadline, they will not be able to reclaim any VAT. It is important that we find a long-term solution. I will be happy to take that forward.

• 27 Feb 2025 · Cathedrals: Local Economic Contribution · Hansard source

  More

  As I say, the Church of England meets regularly to look at the impact of costs on cathedrals, and I am happy to write to my hon. Friend about the issue.

• 27 Feb 2025 · Cathedrals: Local Economic Contribution · Hansard source

  More

  Nobody can deny that working cross-party is one of the best ways to get things done, so I am happy to support the right hon. Member and others in their endeavours. I am also happy to meet the group.

• 27 Feb 2025 · Cathedrals: Local Economic Contribution · Hansard source

  More

  The right hon. Member is a true champion of cathedrals, and particularly the one in his constituency. It was a pleasure to meet him to explore issues that he has raised. Research by the Association of English Cathedrals has shown that cathedrals’ 9.5 million visitors contributed around £235 million in additional expenditure to cathedrals and local businesses. I understand that Salisbury cathedral, in the right hon. Gentleman’s constituency, featured in nearly nine in 10 visits by tourists to Salisbury.

• 27 Feb 2025 · Archbishop of Canterbury Appointment · Hansard source

  More

  The Crown Nominations Commission, chaired by Lord Evans, will oversee the appointment of a new archbishop. A public consultation is under way— I encourage all hon. Members to submit their thoughts; they have until 28 March to do so—and an announcement is expected before the end of the year.

• 27 Feb 2025 · Archbishop of Canterbury Appointment · Hansard source

  More

  I thank my hon. Friend for her fantastic and poignant question. Historical and recent safeguarding failures have eroded trust in the Church. To rebuild and restore that trust, the Church must show that it is serious about keeping people safe. That must include holding to account those who are responsible for failures—no one, no matter how senior, can be above scrutiny and accountability. I agree that those responsible for selecting the next archbishop must inspire confidence and trust, both among the public and among victims and survivors, who have been so badly let down. Next Monday’s Adjournment debate will be on safeguarding in the Church of England. There will also be a question and answer session on safeguarding with the Archbishop of York and other senior members of the Church. I am pleased that that will take place, and I encourage hon. Members from across the House to go along to those sessions.

• 27 Feb 2025 · Church of Scotland: Declining Congregations · Hansard source

  More

  The pastoral and closed churches department of the Church Commissioners has recently consulted with the Church of Scotland on the experience of managing parishes and small congregations.

• 27 Feb 2025 · Church of Scotland: Declining Congregations · Hansard source

  More

  The National Church Institutions and the Church of Scotland signed the Columba declaration, committing to joint dialogue on a range of issues. I understand that they meet regularly to discuss these issues. It might be useful for her to reach out to the Church of Scotland on that, and if she is unable to do so, I am happy to put her in touch with it.

• 27 Feb 2025 · Rural Parishes · Hansard source

  More

  The Church of England has more than 10,000 churches in our towns and villages in rural areas. In addition to their regular processes of prayer and worship, parish churches play an important role in the life of our rural communities.

• 27 Feb 2025 · Rural Parishes · Hansard source

  More

  I congratulate the hon. Member on being a true champion for his constituency and also for the need for additional resources that will ensure that our churches can truly stand the test of time. I shall certainly raise these issues and write to him about what steps he can take at a local level. It is also worth pointing out that representing rural communities and dioceses, bishops do meet regularly on a quarterly basis to look at best practice and other ways that they can support their diocese better.

• 27 Feb 2025 · Diocese of Jerusalem · Hansard source

  More

  The situation in Gaza and the west bank is devastating, and the Church continues to support the diocese of Jerusalem through prayer, financial assistance and advocacy. The archbishop’s appeal for the diocese continues to provide much-needed support for Church organisations and bodies, whether that is in Gaza or the west bank.

• 27 Feb 2025 · Diocese of Jerusalem · Hansard source

  More

  There is no safe place on the west bank, including in East Jerusalem, for Palestinians. The attacks on the Christian community there are focused on seizing land and property, and have been increasing in recent months, with Armenian churches bearing the brunt. The Christian community faces a co-ordinated and aggressive move to drive these living stones of our faith to leave the region. Bishops have frequently visited the region over the past 16 months; they have regularly met the Archbishop of Jerusalem to discuss how best they can help the diocese to respond to the many appalling attacks. It is important that we hold up the people of Palestine in prayer for their safety and security. Violence is not the answer to any of this.

• 27 Feb 2025 · Diocese of Jerusalem · Hansard source

  More

  I mentioned funds in my response to my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton and Winchmore Hill (Kate Osamor). I can certainly write to the hon. Gentleman about the discussions that have taken place with the Archbishop of Jerusalem, if he would find that helpful.

• 29 Jan 2025 · Pavement Parking · Hansard source

  More

  I beg to move, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the law relating to parking on verges and footways in England outside of Greater London and in Wales. The Bill would give local authorities power to enforce against anti-social and hazardous pavement parking, and associated powers to enforce against obstructive parking of rental micromobility devices, including e-scooters and e-bikes. Across much of the country, cars blocking pavements are one of the most common problems faced by pedestrians. Pavement parking can be especially dangerous for wheelchair users and those using other mobility devices, people with pushchairs and young children, and people with sight loss, like me, who can be forced into the road with traffic that they cannot see. Helen, a guide dog owner, described the impact of pavement parking when she came to Parliament to speak on the issue at the end of last year: “My life hinges on my ability to trust in the safety of my surroundings, but when pavement parking obstructs the path, it robs me of my independence, confidence, and my trust in the world around me. Each time my trusted path is blocked, I lose a little more of my autonomy.” Helen is not alone. According to research conducted by the charity Guide Dogs, four out of five blind or partially sighted people said that pavement parking made it difficult to walk on the pavement at least once a week, and nearly 95% of people living with sight loss have been forced to walk in the road owing to vehicles parked on pavements. That number rose to 99% for wheelchair or mobility scooter users. As well as causing an obstruction, cars parked on pavements damage the surface, creating trip hazards, and one in five people with sight loss said they had been injured as a result. However, it does not have to be this way. In London, a law prohibiting pavement parking has been in place since 1974. Progress has also been made in Scotland, where the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 enabled local councils to enforce against pavement parking. So while progress has been made in some parts of the country, in many others pavement parking continues. My constituent Kimberley spoke of the contrast when travelling outside London: “I don’t encounter much pavement parking in London… But when I visit family elsewhere it is a different story. People park everywhere, and don’t leave enough space for me, my guide dog and my young son to pass. It means we have to step out into busy roads…I have to concentrate to make sure none of us gets run over.” While we should commend the progress made on pavement parking in London, increasingly we are seeing abandoned rental e-scooters and e-bikes obstructing pavements. That remains a problem in my constituency. This Bill would increase the power of local authorities to introduce penalties for operators and riders of e-bikes and e-scooters left on pavements. It would replicate the existing offence of parking heavy goods vehicles on pavements or kerbs, and extend it to all motor vehicles. Civil enforcement officers could actually enforce that. Although it has long been a specific offence to drive on pavements outside London and Scotland, it is not a specific offence to park on pavements in most circumstances. That is reflected in highway code rule 244, which states: “You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it.” Civil traffic enforcement is possible in some limited cases, such as for parking over dropped kerbs or adjacent to double yellow lines, but in most cases local traffic wardens do not actually have powers to act. Councils can use traffic regulation orders or install physical barriers to prevent pavement parking, but TROs are not designed to be used to cover wide areas and require considerable signage and street markings, making their widespread use expensive. In some cases, cars blocking pavements can be considered an obstruction under the Highways Act 1980. However, as this is a criminal offence, it can be enforced only by police. Given the lack of a clear definition of what constitutes an obstruction, and the lack of police resources, relying on police enforcement has not proven effective. There is a clear need for a law that brings the rest of England in line with London and Scotland. Councils need to be empowered to take action, as they know their areas best. This Bill would give them the flexibility to create limited exemptions in response to consultation with their local communities. A change in the law has widespread support, including from over 65% of the public and 74% of councillors in England. Sustrans, Guide Dogs, Living Streets, Transport for All, the Royal National Institute of Blind People and the Thomas Pocklington Trust all support a new law. This morning, I was delighted to join a group of campaigners in supporting an open letter, signed by almost 20,000 people, that urges party leaders to support a change in the law. This is not a new debate; indeed, the measures introduced in London in 1974 were originally intended to apply to the rest of the country. In 2020, the then Conservative Government consulted on tackling pavement parking. That consultation considered a range of options, but today marks 1,530 days since it closed. Indeed, on 8 February last year, I called on the then Government to get on and publish their response. I welcome the Roads Minister’s commitment that this Government are looking at all options and will come forward with a response to the consultation in due course, and I look forward to working with her on that. I understand that she is due to meet some of the charities and groups campaigning on this issue, and I know that they hope to speak to her before any final decisions are made. I also welcome the references to pavement parking in the White Paper on the English devolution Bill, and the consideration of licensing for micro-mobility devices. However, there needs to be an explicit commitment, and a clear timetable, to address these problems. The Government are rightly committed to delivering record investment in infrastructure and transport projects, but it is important that we get the fundamentals right and make sure that our streets are safe for everyone. Pavement parking prevents many people from living their lives, working, socialising, taking their children to school or getting to a vital appointment, and that has to change. We have clear evidence that laws like this can and do work, and I urge the House to support this Bill. Question put and agreed to. Ordered, That Marsha De Cordova, Kate Osamor, Steve Darling, Jim Shannon, Daniel Francis, Shockat Adam, Martin Vickers, Dr Scott Arthur, Jen Craft, Florence Eshalomi, Rosie Duffield and Dr Rosena Allin-Khan present the Bill. Marsha De Cordova accordingly presented the Bill. Bill read the F irst time; to be read a S econd time on Friday 16 May , and to be printed (Bill 170) .

• 27 Jan 2025 · Specialist Teachers: Disabled Children · Hansard source

  More

  Research in June 2023 found that only 56% of teachers in mainstream schools felt confident about supporting children with a special educational need or disability. Today, that means many children, including in my constituency, are still missing out on learning and leaving school without the skills they need. Does the Minister agree that we need more specialist teachers, including those for multisensory purposes and for children with visual impairments, to ensure every child has the opportunity to fulfil their potential?

• 27 Jan 2025 · Specialist Teachers: Disabled Children · Hansard source

  More

  15. What steps she is taking to ensure that disabled children have access to specialist teachers.

• 16 Jan 2025 · Hyde Park Estate · Hansard source

  More

  The Hyde Park estate has been managed by the Church Commissioners for over 150 years, and they are committed to its long-term stewardship. As responsible landlords, the commissioners are committed to adopting best practice and have continuous investment programmes for the management of buildings on the estate to ensure that they remain fit for purpose both now and in the future.

• 16 Jan 2025 · Hyde Park Estate · Hansard source

  More

  Of course I congratulate the residents on their hard work. I know from my constituency about the challenges around increases in service charges; it is so important that they are transparent to everybody. I would be happy to join my hon. Friend in a meeting with her residents on this issue, and I would recommend including those from the Church Commissioners’ property services team. I hope that will be okay.

• 16 Jan 2025 · Hyde Park Estate · Hansard source

  More

  I am sure that those managing and maintaining the estate are looking at all those issues, but I would be happy to write to the hon. Gentleman with further information.

• 16 Jan 2025 · Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme · Hansard source

  More

  I congratulate my hon. Friend on raising this issue. It is so important to ensure that our local churches are supported and that churches such as St Michael’s in his constituency can deliver the repairs they need so that they can continue to be a benefit to their communities. The National Churches Trust recently found that for every £1 of investment £16 is returned to the local community in the form of events facilities, warm spaces, food banks and so much more. He will not be surprised to learn that I have raised the issue of the listed places of worship scheme with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and I really hope that the Government are listening and will want to continue with this vital and essential scheme.

• 16 Jan 2025 · Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme · Hansard source

  More

  Yes.

• 16 Jan 2025 · Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme · Hansard source

  More

  I will certainly share the hon. Member’s thoughts, but I am happy to write to him with further details on other spaces where he can get more information on how he can support schemes in his constituency.