Is the Budget enough to save Universal Credit? The budget delivered two tranches of extra money for Universal Credit (UC) - £1.7bn to improve Work Allowances and £1bn to help people moving onto UC from the old system. While the numbers are large they are not sufficient to reverse even the 2015 …
Briefings
The things you need to know about Universal Credit
Universal Credit: the bad, the worse and the ugly Universal Credit has been failing badly. Over the past few weeks, press and politicians have begun to notice that the next stages of Universal Credit (UC) could bring real disaster – and that something needs to be done and quickly. By the end of …
Brexit: Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Communities
This paper is an information briefing for churches on how Britain’s departure from the European Union might affect farming and fishing communities. Please continue to pray for all those who work in agriculture and fisheries industry as well as the communities who rely on those industries. If you …
Updated Universal Credit Briefing
Universal Credit: increasing hunger by design Read the briefing in full. Summary Last updated April 2019 As Churches we are concerned that the design of Universal Credit does not sufficiently take into account the lives, skills and resources of the least well off, and as a result will lead …
Churches urge end to ‘hostile environment’ policies
A group of major Churches is launching a campaign to challenge the government’s approach to illegal immigration, which they say is leading to destitution, discrimination and distrust. The Baptist Union, the Church of Scotland, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have joined forces …
“A benefit system which drives families into debt and leaves people hungry is a failing benefit system” say Churches
Speaking on behalf of the Baptist Union, the Church of Scotland, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church, Paul Morrison commented on the release of the National Audit Office (NAO) report, Rolling out Universal Credit, saying, “Churches have repeatedly expressed concerns about Universal …
Asylum Applications and Christian Belief
A briefing for ministers called to give evidence in support of asylum applications. This briefing was originally published in May 2017 but has been updated in May 2018 in order to provide the most up-to-date and accurate information Many people seek asylum in the UK on the grounds that they fear …
Minimum Unit Pricing Live in Scotland
As of 1st May 2018 Scotland has introduced minimum unit pricing (MUP), a policy which targets harmful and hazardous alcohol consumption. This fact-sheet gives an overview of why minimum unit pricing is necessary and encourages individuals and churches to push for England to follow suit. …
Sharing the gift of life? Consultation on Organ Donation.
The UK government is currently consulting on whether the system for organ donation in England should be changed to an opt-out system. The government is seeking responses to their consultation from people of all backgrounds and faiths. You can respond to the consultation here for which the deadline …
Universal Credit: Increasing poverty by design
Our latest briefing on Universal Credit sets out the problems with the design, which turn it from a poverty reducing measure to a poverty increasing measure. This briefing was last updated in April 2019. Read the summary below or download the briefing in full. Summary The design of Universal …