Scottish bishops sign letter urging UK government to take action on child poverty
[Scottish Episcopal Church] All seven bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church are among a group of faith leaders from across the United Kingdom who have written to the prime minister and the chancellor asking them to “seize this moment to take decisive action to drive down child poverty.”
The letter, which was drafted by the Joint Public Issues Team of the Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches, was signed by 38 faith leaders representing the five major faith groups in the U.K., including former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. It was sent to Downing Street on Aug. 31.
It calls for an abolition of the two-child cap on social security. Recognizing the economic pressure the government faces, the letter goes on to make costed recommendations that increasing levies on gambling profits could be sufficient to raise half a million children out of poverty across the U.K.
The Rt. Rev. David Railton, bishop of Argyll & The Isles, said, “The Scottish Episcopal Church has long called for action to tackle child poverty. In congregations across Scotland, Episcopalians are doing exceptional work — running food and clothing banks, holiday breakfast clubs, and offering warm and safe spaces to all who are in need. Nationally we offer grant funding to projects which address increasing poverty amongst families.
“These efforts, like those of many organizations who work to alleviate poverty, are made more difficult by a structure that leads to negative outcomes for so many families in Scotland and across the U.K. The suggestions made in the letter would have an immediate and lasting impact, and we implore the prime minister and the chancellor to take them seriously.
“Faith groups and charities across the country are doing our bit to tackle poverty, and it is time that the government did the same.”
