[Church of England] General Synod on July 12 debated the 2026-2028 triennium funding package that was announced in June.
The proposals will see $2.1 billion distributed to fund the mission and ministry of the church during 2026-2028 and will support a major package of measures for clergy well-being and a focus on supporting parishes in the lowest income communities in the country, as well as other key priorities including safeguarding and redress. This represents an increase of 36% on the current triennium, amounting to the biggest distribution in the church’s history.
A motion, brought by London Bishop Sarah Mullaly, welcomed the spending plans, which included proposals to improve clergy pensions and recommendations from the recent diocesan finances review. Synod also invited the Archbishops’ Council to bring forward any legislative changes necessary to implement these policies.
Clergy pensions
Synod turned its attention to clergy pensions, with a private member’s motion brought by the Rev. James Blandford-Baker (Ely), who welcomed an amendment from the Ven. Adrian Youings (Bath and Wells) that aligned the proposed improvements in clergy pensions with those that had been proposed by the Archbishops’ Council following detailed work by the Pensions Board and its actuarial adviser.
The amendment also sought to confirm that steps would be taken to provide restitution for affected pensioners, and also called for an independent review into long-term retirement support for clergy and their dependents. It was noted that, based on the current actuarial valuation of the Church of England Funded Pension Scheme, these improvements could be accommodated without additional pension contributions from the responsible bodies.
The Synod approved the amended motion and work will be put in hand to prepare the necessary changes to Scheme Rules and Regulations for the Synod to consider at the February 2026 Group of Sessions.
Hereford motion
Earlier on Saturday, Synod passed an amended motion that sought to address the challenging position of diocesan finances and enhance the life and viability of the parishes and dioceses of the whole church.
The motion, brought by Hereford Bishop Richard Jackson, called on the Church Commissioners and Archbishops’ Council to redistribute financial resources directly to the Diocesan Stipend Funds, recognizing that diocesan Boards of Finance have covered the cost of pension contributions since 1998.
In a vote by houses, the Synod supported an amendment, proposed by Sheffield Bishop Pete Wilcox, that acknowledged the complex financial pressures faced by many dioceses and affirming the Church Commissioners’ prudent management of the church’s endowment. The amendment welcomed increased stakeholder engagement in developing the 2026–28 spending plans and the commitment to clergy wellbeing, particularly through increases in stipends and focused funding for ministry in deprived communities.
It also called for a formal role for Synod in shaping the future national Funding Framework, with a full debate on the approach to disbursing funding, including support for local stipendiary ministry, and based on robust financial modelling. This will be scheduled early in the next triennium.
The amended motion was approved by the Synod.