18 Anglican bishops of the Church of England, supported by the highest leader of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, asked to Cameron’s government, in an open letter, to revise the Welfare Reform Bill which they consider “unjust”. Above all, the bishops are concerned that, if enforced, such reform would push the weakest and most vulnerable part of the population into “severe poverty”.
The letter was published in “The Observer” yesterday and was signed by the bishops of 18 Anglican dioceses of the country, from Bath to Leeds.
“The introduction of a cap on benefits, as suggested in the Welfare Reform Bill, could push some of the most vulnerable children in the country into severe poverty”. The bishops mention the figures provided by the “Children’s Society”, according to which “70,000 adults are likely to be affected by the cap, it is going to cut support for an estimated 210,000 children, leaving as many as 80,000 homeless”. “The Church of England – the letter reads – has a commitment and moral obligation to speak up for those who have no voice. As such, we feel compelled to speak for children who might be faced with severe poverty and potentially homelessness, as a result of the choices or circumstances of their parents. Such an impact is profoundly unjust”.