Archbishop Lends Support to Loan Shark Campaign Archbishop of Canterbury Tells of Plans to Compete with Controversial Pay-Day Lenders
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Archbishop lends support to loan shark campaign Archbishop of Canterbury tells of plans to compete with controversial pay-day lenders Labour MP, Stella Creasy, has welcomed comments made by the Archbishop of Canterbury that the Church of England plans to provide alternatives to payday lenders. The Most Rev Justin Welby, who has served on the Parliamentary Banking Standards Commission, has said he plans to expand the reach of credit unions as part of a long-term campaign to boost competition in the banking sector. He also outlined plans to encourage church members with relevant skills to volunteer at credit unions. Small, local lenders will also be invited to use church buildings and other community locations with the help of church members. © Lambeth Palace Stella, who has led a campaign in Parliament seeking the regulation of the payday loan industry. a cap on payday loans, said she was pleased that the Archbishop had reaffirmed the Church’s commitment “The Government have consistently ducked clamping to fight the damage legal loansharks are causing. “The down on predatory pricing and extortionate interest Archbishop has been an ardent campaigner and friend charges – despite Labour securing an amendment in of the Sharkstoppers campaign in showing that there the House of Lords last year which gives regulators is no excuse for the Government not to act to bring an the ability to control costs and loan duration.” end to legal loansharking in Britain,” she said. The payday industry—which is worth over £2 billion— Speaking about the Government’s failure in dealing has more than doubled over the last four years, with with the loan sharks, Labour’s Treasury spokesman, some loan companies charging interest rates of over Chris Leslie MP, said: “Urgent action is needed to grip 5,800 per cent. Churches: “Government are misrepresenting poor” Shadow Work and Pensions minister supports churches in holding Government to account An alliance of churches representing Christians from society in an unfavourable light, stigmatising those England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland has written to who need the support of the benefits system. No the Prime Minister asking for an apology from the political or financial imperative can be given to make Government for “misrepresenting the poor”. this acceptable." In their letter, the church leaders pointed out that many Speaking to Churches Update, Labour’s Shadow Work senior members of the Government have given out and Pensions Minister, Liam Byrne MP, said: “The misleading and inaccurate information about people on churches involved deserve recognition for holding the benefits. The letter singled out the Conservative Party Government to account for their unacceptable Chairman, Grant Shapps, and Pensions Secretary, comments and misleading use of official statistics. It is Iain Duncan Smith, for particular criticism. not fair for ministers to make unjustified and sweeping statements.” The letter stated: "We are concerned that these inaccuracies paint some of the most vulnerable in our The full letter can be read at www.methodist.org.uk. 1 Food for thought A message from Stephen Timms MP, Labour’s Faith Envoy I recently took part in an email dialogue with Robert rise still further due to Halfon, the Conservative MP for Harlow, for The changes in the benefit system, House Magazine. We discussed the issue of such as the bedroom tax and foodbanks. the benefit cap. The Government estimate that The first foodbank was set up by the Trussell Trust, once the benefit cap is fully in place, 7,000 a church-led initiative, in 2001. It was estimated that households in London will loose over £100 per week. in 2010, foodbanks were helping 30,000 households. This will be replicated in other cities across the However, since the General Election demand has country. rocketed. Over the past twelve months there has been a 170 per cent rise in people turning to Government policies are increasing poverty at an foodbanks—the Trussell Trust estimated they fed alarming rate and the increased demand for 350,000 people last year. This year, a new foodbank foodbanks is an early warning sign. Other, more is being opened every day. It’s deeply troubling that troubling, evidence will emerge. Foodbanks show that so many can no longer afford to feed their families. policy changes are needed. I am concerned—and this is a point I made to The Foodbank movement is remarkable and is an Robert—that Ministers are unwilling to admit that the area where church communities are taking a lead. rocketing demand for foodbanks is a worry. Indeed, Who would have guessed a few years ago that the Lord Freud told the House of Lords earlier this year churches, in 2012, would be feeding over a third of a that more people were using foodbanks simply million families? The Government should not be so because more of them existed. I fear demand will dismissive of their vital work. News in brief Labour condemn u-turn on alcohol pricing Disclosure of Tax Avoidance Schemes Labour has criticised the Government for shelving Labour's Shadow Exchequer Secretary, Catherine plans to introduce a minimum price for a unit of alcohol McKinnell MP, has criticised the Government for in England and Wales. Speaking after the u-turn was refusing to support Labour's amendments to the announced to the Commons, Labour’s Shadow Home Finance Bill to tackle the impact of tax avoidance on Office Minister, Diana Johnson MP, said: "After a two- developing countries. She said: “Labour's Disclosure year Whitehall farce over their alcohol strategy, we've of Tax Avoidance Schemes...should now be extended ended up exactly where we started." The Home to global transactions...The Government failed to Secretary told the House of Commons last year: “We deliver the substantial changes we needed at the G8, will...introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol...and but this is a change that the UK can make without will seek to introduce legislation as soon as possible." needing international agreement.” Internet safety in schools Religious Education “damaged” by Michael Gove The Government has rejected Labour calls for A senior bishop in the Church of England has accused specially-trained teachers to be brought in to educate the Education Secretary, Michael Gove MP, of children about the dangers of internet pornography. marginalising Religious Education. Speaking to The Education Minister Lord Nash said the Government Times, the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev John "trusted" teachers to deliver the message. He also Pritchard, said he backed a curriculum centrally rejected plans for personal and social health education determined by churches, faith groups and the to be made part of the national curriculum. Government to replace locally agreed syllabuses. Labour Faith Envoy speaks at New Wine Anger over u-turn on plain packaging of cigarettes Stephen Timms, Labour’s Faith Envoy, spoke at the Diane Abbott MP, Labour’s Shadow Public Health annual New Wine conference in Shepton Mallet. He Minister, has condemned the Government’s u-turn on told the audience that “Faith was a great starting point plain packaging for cigarettes. “People will rightly for politics.” He added that “...faith inspires the values wonder if the Government is breaking its promise, needed to make politics work: responsibility, solidarity, despite the medical evidence and the wishes of British patience, compassion, truthfulness and tolerance.” families,” she said. 2 Ed Miliband praises work of local churches Labour leader, Ed Miliband MP, has praised the work of church organisations in his constituency acknowledging the help they have provided to hard- pressed households during the recession. Ed’s comments came after meeting with One Heart One Voice, a group made up of representatives from churches from across Doncaster. One Heart One Voice is involved in setting up foodbanks and organising money advice sessions in churches. The group also supports the work of Street Pastors who assist members of the public in the town centre on Friday and Saturday evenings. our communities. During the meeting Ed heard about the group’s work, which includes support for children and families and The initiatives set up by the church here in Doncaster – chaplaincy services. and across the country—are run largely by volunteers with local knowledge. I have nothing but admiration for Speaking afterwards, Ed said: “Churches can act both these groups who respond in these tough times with as an early warning system and as a last resort, and dedication and compassion. This is the best example of that is partly why they are so important. I applaud them the values that I want see at the heart of the Labour for the part they play in helping to support people in Party.” Conference diary 2013 Sunday 22 September ► 8.00 p.m: Financial ► 10.30 a.m: The Conference Church Service Transaction Tax—Making “A New Exodus? - Liberation from modern day slavery Banks Work for Britain with Pete Greig (24/7 Prayer), Terry Tennens With Jon Snow (Channel 4), (International Justice Mission) and Dave Steell (One David Hillman (Robin Hood Tax), Will Hutton Church Brighton) (Guardian), Arlene McCarthy MEP and Lesley Mercer Gloucester Place Baptist Church, BN1 4AA. (President, TUC) St. Paul’s Church, West Street, Brighton, BN1 2RE. ► 11.45 a.m: CSM’s Conference Reception In partnership with Robin Hood Tax With Ed Miliband, Arnie Graff and Tim Livesey Gloucester Place Baptist Church, BN1 4AA. Tuesday 24 September ► 8.00 a.m: Can capitalism ever be responsible? ► 5:30 p.m: Annual Faiths Reception: What role CSM’S prayer breakfast with Andy Flannagan, for faith groups in One Nation? Stephen Doughty MP and Jim Dobbin MP. With Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Jonathan Birdwell St. Paul’s Church, West Street, Brighton, BN1 2RE.