House of Commons · General Debate
Church Commissioners
18 June 2026 · 7 other contributors
Opened by Daniel Francis - MP who opened debate Lab Bexleyheath and Crayford
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Daniel Francis - MP who opened debate raised concerns about church commissioners in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
Key points
- Concerns were raised during the debate
- Specific asks of the government were not recorded
- No commitments were made during the debate
How the debate unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Other contributors (7)
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The Church of England is committed to improving accessibility for disabled people through the parish accessibility fund, offering grants up to £50,000. St Paul's cathedral has opened a Changing Places toilet, and similar facilities are being planned in other cathedrals. The Church also supports families with the cost of living by running community projects, providing practical support, companionship, and advice. Local churches like Rev. Jokey Poyntz’s at St Mary’s in Little Parndon play crucial roles, and Marsha de Cordova encourages MPs to engage with their local churches for further information.
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St Paul's cathedral has opened a Changing Places toilet, providing disabled people with accessible facilities. He asks how other cathedrals can be supported to open similar toilets and improve access for visitors needing specialist facilities.
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Local churches like St Mary’s in Little Parndon run community support programmes such as the church furniture fund, providing essential items to those in need. He questions what work the Church Commissioners are doing to recognise and learn from this good practice.
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Asks how parishes can apply for the places of worship renewal fund. Notes that while a £92 million fund was introduced by the UK Labour Government, it does not apply to Scottish parishes due to changes from VAT rebate to capital grant scheme.
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Questions steps being taken to ensure rural churches are aware of the places of worship renewal fund. Emphasises the cultural importance and opportunities provided by this fund for round-tower churches in Norfolk, encouraging all parishes to apply.
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Asks about steps taken by the Church of England to support Christians in Palestine, highlighting specific cases such as Natalie Abu Dayyeh's detention and calling for representations to advocate for her release and protection of other Palestinian Christians facing similar issues.
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Questions whether the Church can reach out to encourage and promote Christianity in the Holy Lands, noting challenges faced by Christians in the region and suggesting ways to increase their numbers and witness.