CTE’s Member Churches, Presidents and General Secretary have joined a diverse group of faith leaders writing to the Prime Minister to call for the urgent establishment of a Cross-Party Commission to tackle child poverty across England…
The faith leaders highlight the growing concern among many communities over poverty and hunger affecting children.
They praise footballer Marcus Rashford’s campaign to extend free school meals, as well as welcoming government efforts to support those on low incomes.
Signatories include leaders of many of CTE’s Member Churches, alongside CTE General Secretary Rev Dr Paul Goodliff and CTE Presidents:
- Archbishop Justin Welby, The Archbishop of Canterbury
- Cardinal Vincent Nichols, The Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster
- Rev Dr Hugh Osgood, The Free Churches Moderator
- His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London and CTE President for the Orthodox Churches
- Pastor Agu Irukwu, head of Redeemed Christian Church of God UK and CTE Pentecostal President.
Leaders representing other faith communities, including Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs, were also signatories to the letter.
The leaders address short, medium and long-term goals needed to tackle child poverty.
The letter says:
“In the short-term, we believe that temporary measures are needed to ensure that children in low income families do not go hungry during the pandemic, especially over school holidays. Research by the Church of England, Child Poverty Action Group and others has shown how much parents needed and valued the offer of free school meal vouchers during the lockdown and this additional support will remain vital as many areas come under tighter restrictions again.
“In the medium-term, we applaud the Government’s efforts to sustain employment and to bolster the social security system to provide extra support for those on the lowest incomes. These have been a lifeline for millions of families and children, who would otherwise be in a much worse financial situation. Looking ahead, the temporary increase in Universal Credit should be made permanent and extended to cover those on legacy benefits, and Governments should commit to increasing working age benefits at least in line with inflation (as is already the case for pensioners), in order to maintain an adequate safety net for those falling on hard times.
“In the long-term, we need a coherent, cross-government and cross-party strategy to tackle the underlying causes of child poverty, including low pay, educational disadvantage, and the shortage of affordable housing and childcare, as well as measures to promote social mobility and racial justice. Simultaneously, we need a comprehensive social security system that protects people against the vagaries of life, alongside a dynamic voluntary sector to help those who fall through the cracks.”
Find the original article and a link to the full letter on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s website.