Category: News

Churches respond to risk to benefit levels

The Methodist Church in Britain, the United Reformed Church and the Baptist Union of Great Britain respond to the proposal to limit the uprating of benefits, risking a real terms cut to benefit levels:

The social security system should prevent families from being pushed into hardship, yet foodbanks are facing rapidly rising demand and almost half of claimants receiving Universal Credit report skipping meals to make ends meet. The value of benefits has declined for the last decade and already an average family of four relying on Universal Credit will be £1,400 worse off this winter than last – despite the interventions already put in place. Against this background it would be outrageous to erode benefits further.

For months we have called on government to provide targeted support to the lowest income households, who are at the sharp end of rising costs. Without that additional help huge numbers of families – particularly families with children – will face impossible choices to make ends meet. The proposal to link benefits to wages rather than prices would mean the largest real terms cut in benefits ever at a time when low-income families are already facing increased hardship. Such a decision would lack both compassion and morality.

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus declared “I have come to bring good news to the poor”. We cannot stay quiet when vital support to the communities we are part of is threatened. We call on the Government to reaffirm its commitment to uprate benefits in line with prices and to provide targeted support to those families who are at the sharpest end of the cost of living crisis.

Signed by

  • Revd Fiona Bennett, Moderator of General Assembly, United Reformed Church
  • Revd Graham Thompson, President of the Methodist Conference, The Methodist Church in Britain
  • Revd Lynn Green, General Secretary, Baptist Union of Great Britain

Dundee Church Council Resume

At the final meeting of the Dundee Church Council, thanks were expressed to all who had served during its many years, remembering too that Methodism in and outwith Dundee has seen many changes over the centuries. During the meeting, the Rev Nick Baker recalled his recent Sabbatical experience of walking The John Muir Way, with the carrying of necessary equipment but then relief at his eventual shedding of the load. This reflection was followed by a general period of silent meditation and sharing of thoughts; Nick then led in prayer.
Items of formal business included consideration of

  • an update on the protracted conclusion to the sale of the Marketgait premises
  • the financial statement
  • arrangements for the General Church Meeting of the combining churches in Perth on Sunday. There will be an Act of Worship at 11 am followed by the GCM business session. The names of persons offering to stand for election to the new Church Council were accepted by the Council as those having Dundee support.
  • future patterns of worship for Dundee Methodists, including resumption of meeting each week (value, practical feasibility); the balance between meeting in person and online (both have value); our Methodist presence within the whole Church and in the local communities as an identifiable Group and through our individual lives. This is very much an immediate & on-going process of discussion, decision & follow-up, involving everyone and one to be positively carried forward.
  • the focus on continuing / resuming contacts with and outreach to children and families – worship in Roseangle on Sunday 9th October is likely to be specifically stated as for “All Ages”.
  • The final act of the Council was to agree by unanimous vote that Dundee Methodist Church would cease to exist from midnight on 31st August 2022. (‘Dundee Methodism’ of course remains via the 1st Sept merged church)