Reset The Debt is supported by Churches, faith-based groups and charities. Find out what they’re saying about the campaign here.
“It is not right that those with the fewest resources should bear the heaviest economic burden of the lockdown, potentially for years to come. As churches, we’ve been at the forefront of supporting those who’ve struggled throughout the pandemic. We know that action needs to be taken now, to ensure that everyone is included as we move into the next phase”
Diane Watts, Interim Faith and Society Team Leader (Baptists Together)
“This campaign grew from relationships in local communities, where churches include and live alongside those who are struggling with poverty and see the damaging consequences of debt. This call for action comes from our belief that change has to start with these experts by experience. Resetting the Debt is an important step in making sure everyone is part of our recovery.”
Very Rev Dr Susan Brown, Convener – Faith Impact Forum, Church of Scotland
“The fact that Covid debt has disproportionately affected low income families demands a compassionate and just response. For the benefit of families and wider communities, the aim of this campaign is to bring stability and a hopeful future for millions of people currently struggling to cover the basics of life. These people cannot be forgotten as we move into what will be a challenging winter ahead.”
Revd Richard Teal, President of the Methodist Conference 2020-2021
During the pandemic, we’ve all learnt how much we rely on one another. Communities have come together to make sure everyone has what they need. We have to make sure this continues as we move forward, especially for those being pulled into difficulty by debt. A Jubilee would be a chance to make sure everyone is treated with the dignity and care they deserve”.
Revd Clare Downing and Mr Peter Pay, Moderators of General Assembly, United Reformed Church
“Over a third of families with children lost income as a result of lockdown. The past few months have been hard enough for all of us, but for those families who have lost income and been saddled with unpayable debts and possible eviction, the pressure is unbearable. To enable these families to get through the hard months ahead, it is essential that the burden of unpayable Covid-19 debts is lifted.”
Niall Cooper, Director, Church Action on Poverty
“For people who have lost their income and their jobs, and those who were in difficulty before the pandemic hit — the pressure is now unbearable. 8.5 million people are now heavily in debt, for example, many are unable to keep up with bills and other expenses. That’s 1 in 6 adults in the UK. This is why we need a debt write off in the U.K.”
Jubilee Debt Campaign
Together Liverpool are supporting the Reset the Debt campaign as it is not right that children and adults already locked in poverty, including many across Liverpool City Region, shoulder the greatest burden of the covid-19 pandemic and pay for this crisis for years to come. Let’s do the right thing and Reset the Debt.
Together Liverpool
“Remit this year’s household debt now or face a decade of debilitating poverty across the nation“
David Primrose, CEO of TCT
“As we seek to rebuild the economy and bring the coronavirus pandemic under control, we should ensure that the poorest in our country do not get hit the hardest. Helping the poorest therefore with the debt crisis that many households are facing is something that a just society should do.”
Paul Rochester, General Secretary, Free Churches Group
“The economic impact of the Coronavirus pandemic has devastated the poorest in our communities. If we do not act now to wipe the household debts circumstantially forced upon so many of the nation’s poorest families, the future of their children and young people will look extremely bleak. Love Black Country are happy to support the Reset The Debt campaign because we believe the Next Generation should all be facing a future of equal opportunity and not have to be disadvantaged by the financial hardship of their communities.”
Love Black Country
“Unitarians have long stood up for a more equal society, and the pandemic has shown us how some families in Britain are much more able to weather this kind of storm than many others. The poorest in our society are now paying the price for long-standing societal inequalities, and resetting the debt is one way that we as a country can help take care of each other.”
Elizabeth Slade, Chief Officer, General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches
“The coronavirus pandemic has been a shock to the finances of many lower income households and has increased their indebtedness in ways that are going to scar them for years to come. Reset the Debt offers a focused proposal for wiping out those debts and giving these families a fresh start. While it is not the only solution that is needed for the debt crisis, it is worthy of widespread support.”
Dr David McIlroy, Convenor of Jubilee Centre’s post-Covid task force on debt
It is clear from responses to the pandemic that we all value living in a compassionate society. But many have found themselves swept up by a rising tide of debt and risk being locked in poverty long after the crisis recedes. This isn’t right. The Jubilee Fund would relieve the financial pressure of debts built up during lockdown and would act as a lifeline for millions.
Director of the Poverty Alliance, Peter Kelly
“Covid-19 has pushed many of our clients at Z2K further into poverty and others are on the brink of eviction. Relieving them of the debts they have accrued as a result of this pandemic would be vital in providing people with security at this very uncertain time, and combined with longer-term changes to our social security and housing systems, help restore dignity and enable recovery to start quicker.”
Anela Anwar – CEO of Z2K