Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Accessibility of Churches

Thursday 8 September 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Caroline Johnson inquired about steps the Church of England is taking to improve church accessibility for people with disabilities.
  • Caroline Johnson highlighted poor accessibility issues at Holy Trinity or West Allington church due to its grass slope.
  • The response indicated that the archdeacon of Boston would assist in working with the parish and church buildings department to improve accessibility.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Caroline Johnson Con Sleaford and North Hykeham
Mental Health Religion & Faith
Context

The MP noted a local church with poor accessibility, impacting the elderly and those with disabilities in winter and wet weather. Some constituents missed family funerals due to this issue.

Question

What steps the Church is taking to improve the accessibility of churches for people with disabilities?

Answer from Andrew Selous

The Church of England strongly encourages parishes and cathedrals to ensure access for all, wherever possible. The public worship of Jesus should always be accessible to as many people as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures or funding details were not provided.

How: The Answer Was General Without Specific Commitments.

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Q2 Caroline Johnson Con Sleaford and North Hykeham
Religion & Faith
Context

A local church is beautiful but has poor accessibility issues, particularly in winter and wet weather. The grass slope makes the church inaccessible to elderly individuals and those with disabilities, leading some constituents to miss family funerals.

Question

The Holy Trinity or West Allington church is beautiful and historic, but access to it is quite poor. The lovely grass slope going up to the church means that, in winter and in poor, wet weather, the church is inaccessible to the elderly and those with disabilities, and some of my constituents have missed family funerals as a result. What can the Church Commissioners do to help?

Answer from Andrew Selous

It is typical of my hon. Friend's conscientiousness that she has visited Holy Trinity, Allington to help get these much-needed improvements. If she contacts the archdeacon of Boston, the archdeacon will work with her and the parish, with the assistance of the church buildings department, to improve their bid for the necessary funds to help revitalise the church as a resource for the whole community.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or funding details were not provided; only advice on how to proceed was given.

How: The Answer Did Not Provide Concrete Steps From The Church Commissioners.

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