In a guest blog, Sarah Hulme reports on the repercussions of a recent government decision to halt funding for sustainability initiatives on farms Without any warning, on 11 March, the government pulled the application process for a key environmental funding stream for farmers, saying the budget …
Brexit
A prayer as the Brexit transition period ends
God of allAt this moment of changewe pray for our country, our neighbours, and for your kingdom to come. Where there are new freedoms, may they be used with wisdom and compassionWhere there are new barriers, may we not forget those on the other sideWhere there are new challenges, may we seek …
What does Brexit preparedness look like for the EU Settlement Scheme?
We’ve been hearing a lot in the past few months about ‘Brexit preparedness.’ When 2021 starts, the transition period will have ended, and the UK will have left the EU – with or without a deal. The UK Government have been circulating some information about what Brexit preparedness might look like for …
Statement from Church Leaders ahead of 31st January 2020
On Friday 24th January, Church Leaders released a joint statement regarding the UK’s imminent exit from the European Union. This was accompanied by a letter from Church Leaders addressed to partner Churches and Church organisations in Europe. Statement from British Church leaders and …
Church Leaders’ No Deal Letter to Prime Minister: Response
You will recall that Church leaders, and over 2000 supporters, signed a letter to the Prime Minister on 24 July asking that he publish evidence of how those who are most vulnerable will be protected in the event of a no-deal Brexit. It took over two months, but we have finally received a …
Boris Johnson and the Supremes
The Prime Minister’s decision to prorogue Parliament has been declared illegal by the Supreme Court. The only direct effect of the judgement is that Parliament has re-opened and the Government will have to face its questioning and scrutiny. While watching Parliament has been a fairly dispiriting …
Is there a Brexit we can all live with?
Our constitution should enable us to make controversial decisions that we don’t all agree on but are generally regarded as legitimate. For example, I passionately hate the Welfare Reform Act that brought in huge benefit cuts and the disastrous Universal Credit, but I accept that legislation’s …
Brexit: more scrutiny not less
Coming to work this morning, I passed eight bodies huddled in doorways, homeless people bedded down with sleeping bags and blankets. One of them had laid yesterday’s newspapers under him. The front page headline showed Prince Andrew, with a much smaller sidebar about Prime Minister’s decision to …
Church leaders’ letter to the new Prime Minister: a no-deal Brexit is gambling with the basic needs of our poorest citizens
An open letter to the new Prime Minister from leaders of 7 Christian denominations expresses concern that failing to agree a deal on Brexit will “hit those held back by poverty very hard indeed”. The Church leaders say they have been “compelled” to write to the new Prime Minister because of …
Brexit, Populism and Universal Credit
“A willingness by politicians to say what they think the public want to hear, and a willingness by large parts of the public to believe what they are told by populist politicians, has led to a deterioration in our public discourse” Justice Secretary David Gauke, 3rd July 2019 In 2010 the …