Ways to take action – April policy update
Do you know someone who would enjoy this article?
“The dignity of each human person and the pursuit of the common good are concerns which ought to shape all economic policies.” Pope Francis
As part of our commitment to ending poverty, upholding dignity, and promoting a more just world, we work to raise awareness and advocate for policy and systemic changes that impact those in need and the communities we support.
We publish regular updates like this one which will keep you updated about campaigns and activities calling for change, and let you know ways in which you might be able to get involved and make a difference.
Hopefully you’ll be inspired to actively participate and make a difference in your community. We’d love to hear from you if you do, so get in touch and let us know what you’ve been up to.
Free training session – Parishes tackling poverty: hope through action
Following a successful session in Lancashire last month, we’re pleased to be bringing our free, bespoke training in partnership with Resolve Poverty to Greater Manchester.
The training is for parishioners, clergy, school staff and anyone who wants to learn more about the challenges facing people experiencing poverty and how they can take steps to tackle it.
It will be particularly helpful to those in a parish role who might be likely to support or engage with people experiencing poverty. It will help attendees to understand how they can offer support in their parish and wider community, equipping them with practical tools and knowledge of best practice.
So, if you’re looking to develop further as a missionary parish in this Jubilee year, join us on Saturday 26 April from 10am to 12.30pm at St Catherine’s Community Centre in Didsbury.
Bishop John Arnold, Bishop of Salford, will be joining the event to welcome participants.
Find out more and reserve your free place now.
If you have any questions, please contact Matt Yates at m.yates@caritassalford.org.uk.
Responding to the Spring Statement
Last week, the Government delivered its Spring Statement, in which the Chancellor outlined her plans for the UK economy.
Ahead of this, we shared our thoughts and responded to the announced social security cuts. In this comment, we emphasised the need for policymaking that promotes human flourishing and called for those who are most vulnerable not to bear the brunt of Government cuts. You can read what we said in full here.
The Spring Statement confirmed changes to the social security system which we believe will cause further harm, including the removal of the health-related element of Universal Credit for under 22-year-olds, a freeze in health-related payments, and stricter eligibility requirements for Personal Independence Payments.
According to an impact assessment from the Government’s Department for Work and Pensions, it is estimated that an additional 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, will be pulled into poverty, while 3.2 million families will be worse off as a result of these changes.
Every day, we meet people at our services who are already experiencing poverty when their limited incomes do not stretch to meet rising costs of fuel, food and housing, and we are deeply concerned that these changes will force even more people into hardship.
Through our policy and advocacy work, we’ll continue to call for policies which protect the most vulnerable people in society and uphold the dignity and worth of every person.
Please consider sharing our posts and spreading the word in your community about the changes we’re calling for. If you may be directly affected by these cuts, you can also write to your MP, explaining how these changes could impact you and urging them to speak up on your behalf.
The growing crisis of children in temporary accommodation
The number of children living in temporary accommodation has risen again, both within the areas covered by the Diocese of Salford and across England.
According to the latest Government statistics, there were 164,040 children being housed in temporary accommodation in England as of September 2024. In Greater Manchester and Lancashire, in the territory of Salford Diocese, 8,546 children were living in temporary accommodation as of this date, marking a 6% increase from the previous quarter.
For these children and their families, temporary accommodation so often results in instability – disrupted schooling, moves across local authority areas, and separation from vital support network. The SAFE campaign, launched by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Households in Temporary Accommodation, is working to address this issue.
The campaign calls for the requirement of local authorities to notify schools and GPs when families are moved into temporary accommodation, as well as notifying the receiving local authority when they are moved out of area. This would help to ensure that children and families are not falling through the gaps and help schools and other services to provide much needed support.
As the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill continues to progress through Parliament and this provision is considered, we’ll continue to advocate for this and other essential changes, because every child deserves the chance to thrive.
The need for action to address child poverty
With poverty rates increasing and three in 10 children in the UK currently living in poverty, the need for a bold and effective Child Poverty Strategy has never been greater.
As the Government prepares to release its plan in the coming months, new research is highlighting the policies that could make the biggest impact.
A recent report from Action for Children reinforces a crucial message: abolishing the two-child limit and benefit cap is essential if child poverty is to be reduced. Without scrapping these policies, families will continue to struggle. The research also outlines how increases to child-related elements of Universal Credit and the provision of new homes for social rent are effective ways to contribute towards tackling child poverty.
The research also highlights the shocking statistic that children from migrant backgrounds are much more likely to experience poverty, with around half of children of non-British born parents living in poverty, nearly twice the rate of children with British born parents.
A recent report by the Institute for Public Policy Research highlights the significant barriers many of these families face in escaping poverty, including substandard living conditions, language barriers, discrimination, and legal difficulties around immigration. It’s clear that the Government cannot tackle child poverty without addressing these issues.
At a local level, we’ve been investigating the impact of child poverty on schools across the Diocese of Salford. Look out for our upcoming report, where we’ll share insights and recommendations to improve the lives of children and families in our communities.
To find out more about our policy and advocacy work and ways you can get involved, visit https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/about/policy-and-advocacy/