Overview

This bill aims to remove all bishops of the Church of England from the House of Lords, ending their automatic right to sit and vote there. While allowing for the possibility of life peerages for former bishops and arrangements for prayer services led by religious figures, the bill fundamentally alters the composition of the upper house of the UK Parliament.

Description

The House of Lords (Removal of Bishops) Bill removes the automatic right of bishops and archbishops of the Church of England to be members of the House of Lords. Key aspects include:

• Exclusion of Bishops: Bishops will no longer be members of the House of Lords by virtue of their religious office.
• No Writ of Summons: Bishops will no longer receive a writ of summons to attend or vote in the House of Lords.
• Life Peerages: The bill doesn't prevent bishops from receiving life peerages, allowing them to potentially remain in the House of Lords through a different route.
• Prayer Services: The bill permits arrangements for present or former bishops to lead prayers in the House of Lords, but this does not allow them to participate in other proceedings.
• Consequential Amendments: The bill repeals various acts and amendments related to the bishops' position in Parliament, including the Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015, parts of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 and other historical legislation.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to significantly affect government spending. The cost savings would likely be minimal, primarily resulting from removing any associated expenses for bishops' attendance in the House of Lords.

Groups Affected

• Bishops of the Church of England: They will lose their automatic right to sit and vote in the House of Lords. This will potentially impact their influence on parliamentary legislation.
• The House of Lords: The composition of the House of Lords will change, altering the balance of power and potentially affecting the legislative process.
• The Church of England: The Church's direct representation in Parliament will be significantly reduced. The bill’s effect on the Church’s engagement with the political process remains to be seen.
• The Public: The public's view on the role of religion in the House of Lords may lead to broader discussions about church and state separation and the overall composition of the upper chamber.

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