The headline measure in the Budget was a 2p cut in National Insurance. This gives the bottom fifth of earners around £350m a year, however the top fifth of earners will receive over 10 times more – more than £4Bn. This tax cut costs £10Bn a year and is the largest financial decision in the budget by …
Poverty and Inequality
Response to the budget
Leaders from across the Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches have responded to the Chancellor’s announcements made in the Budget on 6 March. They have highlighted the lack of acknowledgement of people struggling against poverty in our communities, and the lack of difference announcements …
Homelessness among refugees and how you can help
Homelessness is on the rise this winter, especially among people recently granted asylum in the UK. So last week, JPIT partnered with Housing Justice and Compassionate Communities to hold a webinar exploring how churches can respond. Why is homelessness an increasing issue for …
Church leaders issue joint call for action on poverty in 2024
Senior leaders from churches and charities have called on politicians to take urgent action on rising poverty in the UK and around the world. In a joint statement released today (Friday, January 5), senior Christian leaders - including the General Secretary of Churches Together in England, …
Good news for the New Year: A new agreement to curb tax dodging
When you heard Big Ben strike midnight on 31st December, was your first thought that “this marks the moment when international tax laws change to make it harder for multinationals to avoid tax”? If, inexplicably, you had other priorities at New Year, it is worth taking time now to celebrate. The …
Poverty in the UK
UK poverty levels in violation of international law Last month, the United Nations poverty envoy, Olivier De Schutter, stated that the UK is in violation of international law due to the poverty levels currently being experienced. This came five years after his predecessor accused the government …
The Autumn Statement will not halt growing poverty and destitution
Our Churches have called for concerted action to turn the tide on poverty and put us on the path to a poverty-free Britain. Despite the Chancellor’s upbeat tone, the Autumn Statement offered little sign of this message yet being heeded. 14.4 million people in the UK are currently experiencing …
Why must every social security announcement feature a big threat?
“Anyone choosing to coast on the hard work of taxpayers will lose their benefits” said the Chancellor, as he announced a raft of changes to the social security system. The press release riffs on old and unpleasant themes. Benefit claimants are to be treated with suspicion because they may be “taking …
There’s an election coming…
A UK General Election needs to take place some time before 28 January 2025, with many people predicting either a May or October 2024 poll. As this election year approaches, here are six ways that churches and church leaders can prepare for this significant event in the life of our …
Sanctions don’t work – but they are increasing anyway
Last month, the Department for Work and Pensions released its internal review into the effectiveness of benefit sanctions[1]. To summarise the report – sanctions are not effective. Not only are they ineffective – they are harmful. Previous research shows that removing benefits increases hardship, …