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- Guest Blog: Pilgrimage for Peace to DSEI Arms Fair October 13, 2025 10:59 am
Rachel Parkinson is a Methodist Minister, currently taking two years to “Live Life in a Different Way”. Here she offers some thoughts on joining a Peace Pilgrimage to the DSEI Arms Fair. I am not a natural campaigner. Whilst I’m wholeheartedly on the side of values foundational to God’s healed, renewed creation – love, justice, peace etc – I find it harder to settle on how they translate into political demands in these in-between times. This certainly applies to the arms trade. Whilst I’ve been moving towards pacifism for years, I’m not sure I’m there yet. I’d rather write a ten thousand word essay on the arms trade than choose ten words to put on a placard! The peace pilgrims en route to the Arms Fair from Oxford And yet I have very serious concerns about developments in the arms industry which are well summarised in JPIT’s The Future of Arms resources published last year. How then to make a stand? The answer for me was to join the Peace Pilgrimage from Oxford to the DSEI Arms Fair at the ExCel Centre in London in September. About 20 people – many of them Quakers – made the pilgrimage as a sign of resistance to the way things are and a sign of hope pointing to how things can be, to a future beyond the arms trade. We pledged to challenge the violence in ourselves alongside the wider culture of violence which pervades our world. The peace pilgrims gather on the road to their destination I learned a huge amount from daily conversations along the way with other pilgrims, many of whom were experienced campaigners and activists. I’m now equipped with new models of thinking about conflict and the use of weapons and have been able to give voice to my own deep motivations around seeking peace. However the pilgrimage was in itself a small laboratory for experiments on making and keeping the peace. It was no small task for 20 adults of varying abilities to walk many miles a day; to feed ourselves; and to live together in fairly basic conditions. There were often conflicting opinions on how this might best be done. We all learned important lessons about ourselves and about each other. This might be the Pilgrimage’s greatest legacy – that we are all a little more useful to the world as peace practitioners on account of our experience together. The pilgrims arrive at their final destination, the ExCeL centre in London Before the Pilgrimage I was worried that I might be accosted by people who would accuse me of naivety. I worried that if they pushed me I might end up agreeing with them! In fact more or less all the opinions we got were positive ones – toots on car horns, bicycle bells rung, thumbs up from passers-by. In fact, to my surprise, I ended up wishing that I had encountered more opposing views. Because surely the best way to go forward in the promotion of peace is to model good listening and honest conversation – even if we don’t feel we have all the answers. There is more information on the Peace Pilgrimage at peacepilgrimage.org.uk The peace pilgrims Source
- Scapegoating refugees won’t fix inequality – letter September 29, 2025 2:13 pm
Over 100 organisations, including the Methodist, Baptist, and United Reformed Churches, have sent a letter to the new Home Secretary, expressing concern about recent announcements about immigration and asylum policy. It calls for the government to stop contributing to the politics of division which scapegoats the most vulnerable, and instead halt hostile asylum policies, consult with those with lived experience of the asylum system, and focus on solving the real issues that will improve people’s lives. The full letter reads: Dear Home Secretary, We are writing to you on behalf of over 100 organisations working across different sectors to express our deep concern about the direction taken by the Government around immigration and further hostile asylum policies. The people we help, and hear from every day, are all impacted by politics of division rather than solutions. After years of these policies the asylum system is at a breaking point, and our streets have become scenes of violence. We are asking you now to unite communities and invest in meaningful solutions to prevent further damage. The Government wants to deliver growth and renew Britain. This requires tackling issues such as growing extreme inequality, underfunded councils, lack of investment in quality housing, a crumbling NHS, the climate emergency and polluted waters. Targeting refugees will do nothing to tackle these structural issues or improve people’s lives. It only serves as a dangerous smokescreen to scapegoat the most vulnerable and distract from the very real dangers to our society. Anger and division will never satisfy voters in the long-term. They cause tensions in our communities, dividing us and tearing the social fabric of our society. We have seen what happens when this is allowed to escalate, such as last year’s racist riots, this year’s disturbing demonstrations outside asylum accommodation sites and the most recent far-right rally in London promoting racism and hate speech, which record numbers attended. In her review of the Windrush scandal, Wendy Williams said that migration and wider Home Office policy is about people and should be rooted in humanity. By not changing approach, the Government is in danger of repeating the same mistakes. Before taking further action, we ask you to engage with local authorities, frontline organisations and people with lived experience. These are the people who face the reality of the hostile policies and rhetoric every day. We understand what is working and where the system is breaking down. We live the real threats to our communities. As the new Home Secretary, you now have an opportunity to turn the tide, and to end the scapegoating of migrants and performative policies that only cause harm. The Government runs the risk of this country accelerating along a dangerous path, and now is the time to urgently correct this and change course. We look forward to your reply to our concerns and hearing how you will be working to unite communities, ease tensions and support solutions to improve people’s lives. Yours sincerely, Abigail HousingACAP (Ashton Churches Asylum Project)ACHAction for Refugees in LewishamAfter ExploitationAnti-Slavery InternationalAsylosAsylum MattersAwesta Charitable OrganisationBaobab Women’s Project CICBaptist Union of Great BritainBEMISBen & Jerry’sBeyond DetentionBoaz TrustCambridge Refugee Resettlement CampaignCare4CalaisCity of Sanctuary UKCommunity InfoSourceConversations From CalaisEYSTFaith for the ClimateFocus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX)forRefugeesFreedom from TortureFreedom UnitedFriends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern IrelandGlobal Justice NowGood Chance TheatreGreater Manchester Immigration Aid UnitGreenpeace UKHelen Bamber Foundation GroupHomeless LinkHope at HomeHope ProjectsHumanists UKHumans for Rights NetworkImkaanImmigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA)Joint Council for the Welfare of ImmigrantsJustice Together InitiativeKairos HousingLatin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS)Leeds Asylum Seekers Support NetworkManchester City of SanctuaryMaryhill Integration NetworkMental Health FoundationMicro RainbowMigrants’ Rights NetworkMindMusic Action InternationalNACCOMNorthamptonshire Rights and Equality CouncilOxfam GBParents for Future UKPATH (Scotland)PCS Trade UnionPenrith and Eden Refugee Network (PERN)Race Equality NetworkRainbow HavenRainbow MigrationRAMFELRAS VoiceRefugee ActionRefugee CouncilRefugee FuturesRefugee Support GroupRefugee Welcome HomesRefugees at HomeRefugees in Effective and Active Partnership (REAP)Rene CassinRight to RemainRunnymede TrustSave the Children UKScottish Refugee CouncilShelterSimon Community ScotlandSolaceSouth East Integration NetworkSouthampton and Winchester Visitors Group (SWVG)Southeast and East Asian Centre CIC (SEEAC)Stop Trump CoalitionStories of Hope and HomeSupport for Wigan Arrivals ProjectTax Justice UKThe Methodist Church in BritainThe Poverty AllianceThe Racial Justice NetworkThe United Reformed ChurchThe Working Class Climate Alliancethe3millionTipping Point UKUbuntu Women ShelterVoices in ExileWar on WantWaterloo Community CounsellingWest End Refugee ServiceWest London WelcomeWest Yorkshire Destitute Asylum Network (WYDAN)Women Asylum Seekers Refugees & Migrants (WARM)Women for Refugee WomenYoung Roots Source
- Recognising Palestine September 22, 2025 11:35 am
Is UK recognition of a Palestinian State more than a symbolic gesture? by Rev’d. David Hardman – Methodist Liaison Officer, Jerusalem On 29 July 2025, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that the UK would recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September—unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza and committed to a long-term peace process and a revived the Two-State Solution. With Israel refusing a ceasefire and continuing military action in Gaza and neighbouring countries, the UK has now joined 147 of the 193 UN member states that already recognise Palestine. The number of countries announcing recognition at the UN is increasing as we write. So, is this a meaningful step or just a token gesture? The goal of recognising Palestine is to support Palestinian self-determination, which is currently denied under Israeli occupation. While UK recognition won’t end the occupation, it could help shift the international conversation. Back in 2011, the UK said it would recognise Palestine “at a time of our own choosing” to help advance peace. This was reaffirmed in Labour’s 2024 manifesto, which said: “We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to a renewed peace process which results in a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.” However, past peace initiatives – Geneva (1977), Madrid (1991), Oslo (1993), Camp David (2000) – have failed to address the power imbalance between Israel and Palestine. Historian Ilan Pappé has highlighted that this imbalance undermines any realistic path to peace. For negotiations to succeed, both sides must be treated as equals. The more countries that recognise Palestine, the greater the chance of more balanced peace talks in the future. The UK government remains committed to a two-state solution. As the Prime Minister said on 29 July: “We will recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process, at the moment of maximum impact for the Two-State Solution. With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act.” (Photographs by D. Hardman, used by permission.) Despite the International Court of Justice’s July 2024 ruling that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal and that settlements must be dismantled, many argue the two-state solution may no longer be viable due to ongoing settlement expansion. Still, equality between both sides is essential for any just peace process, whatever solution that process may reach. This move could help improve security for both Israel and Palestine. The region has been afflicted by violence for over a century – not only through physical attacks, but also through the long-term harm caused by occupation. Occupation has never brought lasting safety to either side, and it never will. A peaceful agreement between two equal neighbours, not based on power or violence, offers a better path forward. Recognising Palestine – and eventually granting it full UN membership – also strengthens the role of international law. It helps ensure that both Israel and Palestine are held to the same legal standards. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the UK’s recognition could influence other nations to follow, but also carries significant historical weight. The 1917 Balfour Declaration supported the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine but promised not to harm the rights of existing non-Jewish communities. Yet, in 1948–49, 750,000 Palestinians were displaced, and in 1967, Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza. Recognising Palestine now is a long overdue step toward addressing decades of injustice and denials of rights. Some have claimed that UK recognition would reward Hamas. But it’s important to understand that countries recognise states, not governments. The Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, has long recognised the State of Israel. Recognition is not a reward for violence – it is a step towards justice for the millions of Palestinians who have lived under occupation and resisted peacefully. The UK Government’s announcement will have most impact if the international community now acts together, and uses this moment to demand a ceasefire in Gaza and push for a just peace process between the two states. Get involved If you have two minutes, please continue to pray and press for a ceasefire and for a peace process that will end decades of occupation and oppression. If you have ten minutes, I would also encourage people to write to the Prime Minister to thank him and his government for recognising Palestine, and to urge them to follow up with real action: to do all in their power (including sanctions if required) to secure a ceasefire and a commitment to a just peace process. If you have longer, read up on what your denomination has said about Palestine, arrange to meet with your MP to discuss why recognition matters, and ask them to take further steps towards justice and peace. Source
- Prayer for Peace September 16, 2025 3:13 pm
Prayer for Peace in Gaza, in the West Bank and in Israel In the days of the prophet Habakkuk, God spoke of stones crying out against oppression and violence. Centuries later, as Jesus entered Jerusalem, he told the Pharisees that if his followers were silent, the very stones would shout aloud in witness to him. Today, as we listen to the cries of pain rising from the rubble of Gaza, we pray with the conviction that to praise Christ as King is also to pray and act for his peace and justice. God of stones that shout, and of people too often silent,We cry out in despair as violence and killings continue.Lord, may there be a ceasefire that lasts. As we cry out for justice, we commit to being people of peace. God of stones that shout, and of people too often silent,We cry out in horror at the images of emaciated children.Lord, may aid reach all those who need it. As we cry out for justice, we commit to being people of peace. God of stones that shout, and of people too often silent,We cry out for release of those held captive.Lord, may all hostages and detainees be set free. As we cry out for justice, we commit to being people of peace. God of stones that shout, and of people too often silent,We cry out in frustration as leaders posture and prevaricate.Lord, may hearts soften and meaningful dialogue begin. As we cry out for justice, we commit to being people of peace. God of stones that shout, and of people too often silent,We cry out in recognition of our complicity in violence and oppression.Lord, in your Kingdom, no one would profit from war or occupation. As we cry out for justice, we commit to being people of peace. God of stones that shout, and of people too often silent,We pray for all who are suffering and grieving today.We pray for people in Gaza, in the West Bank, in Israel, and around the world.We pray for those silenced, and those simply silent.We pray for peace. In a moment of quiet, we cry out for those people and situations on our hearts and minds, and bring you our hopes for change… Hold silence. If God’s people keep silent, the rubble will shout aloud. As we cry out for justice, we commit to being people of peace. May it be so. Amen Being people of peace 21-28 September is the Week of Prayer for Peace in Palestine and Israel. As we join CTBI and WCC in crying out for justice, we are asking churches to: 1. Pray. Join us in prayer for Palestine, for Israel, and for all those impacted by war and oppression in the region. We are praying that ‘As we cry out for justice, we commit to being people of peace.‘ Find our full prayer for peace here and use it in worship this Sunday. 2. Join the Red Line and tell your MP that the military detention of children is a red line. 3. Fast for Gaza every Wednesday in solidarity with those denied food, water, and medical aid. Read about URC, Baptist and Methodist calls for change in Gaza. Source
- Introducing Thomas September 11, 2025 11:40 am
My name is Thomas, and I am a JPIT intern for 2025-6, working on the Constituency Action Network amongst other things! I grew up in the Anglican church, in a family that considered Christianity and social justice to be like cheese and biscuits; good on their own, in another league when paired together! I studied Politics, Sociology and Anthropology at Selwyn College, Cambridge, where I was part of the chapel community and the Prayer Officer for Cambridge Student Christian Movement, as well as some refugee, Palestine and climate justice work. Oh and the degree itself, where possible! I come to JPIT from a year as a Live In Care Assistant with L’Arche UK in Canterbury, a charity building communities with people with and without learning disabilities. I lived in a care home with other assistants and some of our core members, L’Arche’s term for people with learning disabilities. This experience has shaped my relationship with God and my interests in public issues, and I could feel myself being transformed on several occasions, especially Christmas Day. Christmas in L’Arche is very busy, and Christmas Dinner a key focal point. With some last minute additions making it 23 (!) for dinner in Faith House where I lived, and our designated chef out of action with flu, I found myself preparing and cooking 2 turkeys and a cross-cultural assortment of dishes with the key deadline of 3pm, and was utterly overwhelmed! Despite the kitchen being full of busy people, I felt pretty alone as dishes burnt and the clock ticked forwards, and I became far too focused on the food, the drinks, the table presentation and decoration… As the doorbell rang, in that moment I wanted nothing to do with community! And yet, as our guests arrived with smiles and joy and Christmas pudding, I felt the Holy Spirit reminding me of the beauty of a full table and the value of being together[1], with and without learning disabilities.[2] My experience of community in this and many other moments in L’Arche carries over to JPIT. The Constituency Action Network aims to help churches engage relationally with their MPs, building long lasting ties and a rapport that lasts well after the election. The power of a local congregation to involve their MP in their ministry and outreach takes social action into social justice on a wide variety of public issues, and can support a church’s internal and outward-facing cohesion and direction. It can be so overwhelming to look out at our world and its many, seemingly ever present problems and injustices. We wonder, where can we start? What can we, a minority faith in this country, engage in? When I feel like this, I try to reset the frame, and remember the spiritual and nourishing power of belonging to an active and purposeful community. I remember that we are working step by step locally to enact God’s kingdom on earth, through our foodbanks, warm spaces, debt counselling. This can only be enhanced with building a relationship with our local MP. We see the hijacking of Christian rhetoric and symbolism by those wishing to turn away the stranger and the migrant[3]. We see poverty and injustice in the UK and elsewhere being neglected and forgotten in public discourse. And we also may feel a glint of hopeful change in the quiet uptick in interest in Christianity we see statistically and on the ground. To balance these emotions and contradictions we hold can be tough, and my hope for my time with JPIT is to ground myself in the concrete steps of advocacy and relationship building, which our churches do have the power to take. I particularly look forward to the Justice conference on 8 November to frame these small scale actions as leading to the transformations of our world that God aches for. [1] Acts 2: 42-47 [2] I wrote a blog about this for L’Arche if you’d like to read further [3] Reach out in peace: Positive preparation for times of unrest – Joint Public Issues Team Source
- Introducing Erica September 11, 2025 11:39 am
Hello! My name is Erica, and I am the new JPIT intern (communications) for 2025/26. I am really looking forward to exploring how an ecumenical organization negotiates complex public issues and learning how best to engage Christians through media to encourage and enable church mobilization and campaigning. Aged 15, I first became actively involved in politics as part of my local branch of the youth climate strikes. Following the political upheaval which provided a backdrop to my early teenage years, including Brexit and Trump’s first election, I was a young person who could not vote, but craved an outlet to make my voice heard for a just cause. When some friends asked me to steward the climate strike on 15th March 2019, I jumped at the opportunity. I went on strike every month from then until February 2020 alongside hundreds of young people demanding climate justice from the UK government and local authorities. This undoubtedly instilled within me a lasting determination for global political, environmental, and economic justice. It also empowered me as a young person to speak about my experiences to others within the Church of England, the denomination in which I was brought up, and campaign for more to be done about the climate crisis. Since then, I have only become more convinced of the radical work that Christians should be doing within the modern world, railing against the status quo as Jesus did. Studying history at university gave me further opportunities to explore justice and how public issues have changed over time. The Methodist Church has a history of engaging with public issues which I am excited by, from its 19th Century antislavery campaigns, up to its present-day ethos of inclusion and research into reparations. My passion for social and climate justice in my teens coupled with my academic research to produce my final-year dissertation topic. By investigating narratives of environmental youth activism in 1990s postcolonial Nigeria, I attempted to uncover marginalized voices who had been stereotyped or homogenized, whilst highlighting the lack of impartiality in reporting and research. The power of institutional narratives is equally applicable to the Church, given its historic role in oppression and injustice and its contemporary responsibility to amplify justice rather than falsely claim neutrality. I am incredibly excited to move from researching injustice, to participating in and communicating justice work/conversations through JPIT, from the newsletter to podcasts to social media! Moving on from youth activism which demanded that the adults listened, into the adult world myself post-graduation, I am learning where I must be accountable for creating a Jesus-like life, responsible for my platform and how I can make a difference in the world. It helps to come back to the intentions of Isaiah 58: 6-7 – “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?” In a climate where Christianity is being weaponised as part of far-right hate rhetoric, it is crucial more than ever to communicate these values of justice, freedom, and compassion. I pray that my experiences can support JPIT this year in speaking truth to power; in its vision of partnership, peace, and ‘to loose the bonds of injustice’. Source
- Show Me the Humanity September 8, 2025 4:24 pm
Why the UK needs a Jerry Maguire styled epiphany On the wall of my office, I have around 50 boards depicting my favourite films and tv shows – some are profound, some edgy, some, if I’m honest, are a bit cringy, but all of them are meaningful to me in some way. One of them is Cameron Crowe’s Jerry Maguire. The other day I caught myself wondering how it made the cut, and I had this thought. In the film, the title character has a late-night epiphany. Disillusioned by the shallow, transactional world of sports management, he pours his heart into a “mission statement.” It isn’t about profit margins or flashy deals – it’s about rediscovering purpose, humanity, and the original reasons he fell in love with the work. His colleagues dismiss it as naïve, even dangerous. But the truth is that Jerry Maguire wasn’t breaking down – he was waking up. I can’t help but think the UK needs a similar wakeup call right now. Last week, the government temporarily shut down all safe routes that allow refugees in the UK to be reunited with their families, and signalled its intention to tighten the rules even further when those routes are reopened – a policy that arrives against a backdrop of anti-asylum protests and growing pressure to consider withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights. The political winds seem determined to blow us further down the road of suspicion and hostility, as though people seeking asylum are not human beings with histories, losses, and hopes, but chess pieces to be sacrificed in a Westminster game. Much of the press contributes to this narrative. While small segments try to provide balance, the most hostile voices often get the greatest airtime, and so immigration is presented as the existential crisis of our age, rather than as a challenge that can be addressed without abandoning fairness, compassion, justice, and human rights. And yet, if we pull a Jerry Maguire and write our own national mission statement – we might remember that the UK has rarely, if ever, been defined by this mean-spiritedness. Quite the opposite. We were the country that gave sanctuary to the Huguenots fleeing persecution in France. We welcomed Jewish refugees escaping the horrors of Nazi Europe, including through the Kindertransport that saved thousands of children. We opened our doors to Ugandan Asians expelled by Idi Amin in early 1970s – in this instance the government acted quickly, welcoming many despite the anti-immigrant sentiment of the time, stoked by figures like Enoch Powell. Maybe it is possible to act with moral clarity, even when parts of public opinion resist it? More recently, we launched the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS), offering safety to tens of thousands of Syrian refugees. And just three years ago, we witnessed an extraordinary outpouring of generosity toward Ukrainians fleeing war – tens of thousands of British citizens, many of them motivated by their Christian faith, opening their homes in quiet but profound solidarity. Family reunion has long been part of that tradition. Successive governments have defended it as a cornerstone of compassionate asylum policy. Indeed, Yvette Cooper, who until this week was Home Secretary and has driven much of the current asylum agenda, once argued passionately in Parliament that making vulnerable families suffer separation in an attempt ‘to deter others’ was cruel and counterproductive – and that we should not make suffering even worse for political ends. How disturbing, then, that this principle now appears expendable. It is political amnesia – not just of our national history, but of our leaders’ own stated beliefs. Shabana Mahmood, the new Home Secretary, once wrote to government colleagues herself urging an expansion of family reunion rights for refugee children, insisting that it was both humane and practical to let parents join them rather than leaving children alone in an already overstretched care system. The question now is whether she will stay true to those convictions – or whether she too will allow this principle to be set aside. In times like these, Churches have often reminded the nation of our moral bearings and have consistently called for immigration policies grounded in compassion and dignity. Baptist, Methodist, URC and Church of Scotland churches, have been particularly vocal in campaigning for the expansion of family reunion rules, not diminishing them, and for systems that recognise those seeking asylum and refugees as human beings, not political pawns. While I fully accept there will be people in our churches along the full spectrum of political affiliation, it is really difficult, if not impossible (in this writer’s humble opinion), to make a biblical case defending such hostility towards asylum seekers and refugees. One of the most consistent messages throughout scripture is to welcome the stranger, to give sanctuary to those in need, to hear the cries of the poor, the destitute and the oppressed. This is who we are. Some argue that compassion is unaffordable when public finances and services are so stretched. But in truth, cruelty costs us much more. The government should explore giving those seeking asylum the right to work (allowing people the dignity of providing for themselves and even contributing to the exchequer), expand decision-making capacity to clear backlogs, and invest in community sponsorship schemes – these practical steps, among others, would both uphold dignity and ease pressure on the system. The real danger today is not immigration. The danger is forgetting. Forgetting that asylum seekers are not statistics but human beings, loved by God, often with heartbreaking experiences of fear and suffering. Our default posture should not be to treat new arrivals as threats but simply neighbours in waiting. Forgetting that inevitably leads to politics being driven by fear instead of facts, and cruelty instead of compassion. Jerry Maguire’s mission statement centred on this principle: Fewer clients. Less money. More caring. He was calling his industry back to what mattered. Perhaps our own national mission statement should be just as succinct: fewer soundbites, less fear-mongering, more compassion. Because if we are to remain true to […]
- Child poverty: faith leaders call for decisive action August 31, 2025 1:01 am
38 senior faith leaders from the five major faith groups represented in the UK – including representatives of the Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches – have written to the Prime Minister and Chancellor, urging them to “act now to secure the futures of millions of children.” The letter addresses Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves, saying, “As Parliament returns from recess and children return to school, we urge you to seize this moment to take decisive action to drive down child poverty.” The leaders argue this must include committing the investment needed to scrap the two-child limit on benefits. Signatories include The Rt Revd Martin Snow, Lord Bishop of Leicester, Revd Richard Andrew, President of the Methodist Conference, Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, Senior Rabbi of Masorti Judaism, Zia Salik, Director of Islamic Relief, and Lord Singh of Wimbledon. The letter goes on to read: “Your upcoming strategy on child poverty, alongside the Budget this autumn, is an opportunity to invest in our children, both for now and for the future. However, this requires commitments that match the scale of the challenge.” “It is hard to conceive of an effective Child Poverty Strategy that does not act on the restrictive benefit cap and end the two-child limit. Faith groups have challenged the limit on moral grounds, rejecting the state’s abandonment of third and later children, and the poverty this inevitably causes. As many charities and think tanks have now shown, ending the two-child limit is also the most cost-effective way to address child poverty. We believe this must be a priority for your government.” “Across our different faiths we share a commitment to human dignity. Poverty tears away at that dignity, robbing people of the opportunity to live a full life that reflects their inherent value. It is simply wrong that millions of children are born into families that struggle to cover even the essentials.” Other senior signatories to the letter include former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Williams, Dr Nicola Brady, General Secretary of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, Bishop John Arnold, Catholic Bishop of Salford and Imam Dr Sayed Razawi OBE, Director General, Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society. The letter was coordinated by the Joint Public Issues Team. The letter acknowledges a recent proposal from IPPR, supported by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, to raise £3.2 billion in gambling levies to pay for the two-child limit and benefit cap to be scrapped. It calls on the government to be “ambitious and creative” in finding additional investment to tackle child poverty. Revd Richard Andrew, President of the Methodist Conference, is a signatory to the letter. He said: “It’s simply wrong that so many children are growing up without the essentials of life. This is a cry for change, rooted in our belief that change is possible. Rising levels of child poverty are not inevitable. The government’s pledge to lift children out of poverty during this parliament is welcome, but now it needs to be backed up with real commitments, including scrapping the two-child limit on benefits.” The Rt Revd Martyn Snow, Bishop of Leicester and the Church of England’s lead bishop for welfare, said: “Along with other faith leaders, I am deeply troubled by the scale of child poverty taking hold in our country. I warmly welcome the Government’s first steps to address this crisis through breakfast clubs, the expansion of early years provision, and now the extension of the Holiday Activities and Food programme. In that same spirit, I encourage the Prime Minister and Chancellor to build on those measures with an ambitious strategy this autumn. Ending the unfair two-child limit and benefit cap are necessary steps as we strive to fulfil our moral obligation to the next generation.” Zia Salik, Interim director, Islamic Relief UK said: “Every week we hear stories from our local partners across the UK about parents being forced to go without food so their children can eat, or families having to choose between heating and eating during the winter months. Years of austerity, and the cost-of-living crisis has put basic necessities almost out of reach for many families, leaving the most vulnerable to suffer. The government’s unfathomable decision to maintain the two-child limit has helped neither the reality of poverty on the ground for so many children or stopped the false narratives being purveyed on this issue, all while failing to understand the utmost cruelty of this situation on literal children. It is imperative that the government lifts this cap, as all it has done is harm children.” Rt Revd John Arnold, Bishop of Salford, said: “Too often I hear of families in our parishes and schools who are going without the daily essentials of food, decent housing and warmth. Far too many children are not only missing out on these basics, but also on the opportunities that allow them to develop and thrive, simply because their families are trapped in poverty. This robs them of the dignity that our faith insists is the right of every person. That is why I support the letter to the Prime Minister and why I urge him and the Government to take the decisive action needed so that every child can grow up with hope, opportunity and the chance to flourish.” Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown expressed his support for this intervention from faith leaders. He said: “Faith groups have a vital role to play in solving the endemic problem of child poverty. Their voices add to a growing chorus calling for the implementation of the government’s child poverty review, that should start with ending the two-child rule and taxing gambling to pay for the change.” Many churches and community groups are involved in supporting families affected by the two-child limit. With the government’s child poverty strategy due to be published this autumn, the faith leaders reaffirmed their commitment to take action to tackle child poverty, saying “As we call on your government to take ambitious and properly funded action, we reaffirm our commitment to work alongside you and do […]
- Child poverty: tell your MP it’s time for action August 20, 2025 4:03 pm
Levels of child poverty in the UK are rising, and set to continue rising. 4.5 million children are currently growing up without access to the essentials of life. But we believe that should and can change. “The impact of growing up in poverty is huge. It affected me physically, mentally and emotionally. Not eating enough food as a child affects your health, weight and concentration. You feel angry and confused. A child can’t understand why they’re excluded from school trips with their friends, or why they don’t have new clothes. You feel different. I felt like I was being punished. I didn’t understand we just didn’t have the money. Poverty is a wound that festers and it casts a long shadow over a lifetime. We as a society have a chance to end this cycle.” Louise, 24 This autumn, as the government finalises its long-delayed child poverty strategy, please tell your MP that it’s time for bold action. There needs to be an ambitious plan for transformation, backed with the government spending that’s going to be necessary to have an impact. This includes abolishing the two-child limit on benefits, which on its own could lift half a million children out of poverty. Take action now If you have one minute: Email your MP through Action for Children’s website here. If you have 20 minutes: Once you’ve contacted your MP, can you encourage some others to do so, too? This could be sending a few friends and family members a message with a link to this page, posting on social media, writing a short notice for your church newsletter, or speaking about it in a group you’re part of. If you have longer: Get together with others in your church or community and arrange a time to go and see your MP, or invite them to an event, to discuss the issues and why they are important. If possible, do this in partnership with projects or groups that involve people with lived experience of poverty. Nothing beats the impact of face-to-face contact, and hearing directly about people’s experiences. For support in building a positive and purposeful relationship with your MP, check out JPIT’s Constituency Action Network. Source
- Impact of immigration changes on Hong Kong BNO visa holders August 19, 2025 10:52 am
In recent years, thousands of Hongkongers have made the UK their home under the British National (Overseas) visa scheme, launched in 2021. Many have found welcome, friendship, and belonging within our church communities. However, proposals in the recent Immigration White Paper may affect Hongkongers who have already arrived, as well as those yet to come. While the government has framed the changes as part of a wider immigration policy review, some proposals risk undermining the stability, security, and family unity that have been so important in helping Hongkongers settle and thrive in the UK. The principal proposal is to extend the qualifying residency period for applying for British citizenship by five years, at a time when the first cohort of arrivals from Hong Kong were approaching the point when they would become eligible, with all the security, privileges and responsibilities that involves. Senior representatives of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have written jointly to the Home Secretary to raise urgent concerns about the impact of the Immigration White Paper on BNO visa holders, and to seek clarity. A parliamentary debate has now been scheduled to be held on this issue on 8 September 2025. Ahead of the debate, JPIT has produced a toolkit to support people in raising the issue with MPs: Source
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