The Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, and Bishop of Manchester, David Walker respond to the Chancellor's statement on the Comprehensive Spending Review:
"How the Government allocates public money, especially at a time of fiscal constraints, is a reflection of its priorities. We applaud the Government’s focus on increasing the supply of affordable and social housing, and hope that this renewed investment will move us towards the vision outlined in the Archbishops’ Commission's 'Coming Home' report that all housing should be safe, stable, sustainable, sociable and satisfying. More broadly, the focus on building up our social and economic infrastructure is necessary and welcome. As bishops serving in northern dioceses, we agree with the Chancellor that this renewal must be seen and felt across the country, particularly in those regions and communities which have not felt the benefits of improved living standards and thriving local services. This includes rural communities, particularly with regard to the importance of sustainability and the green transition in these contexts.
"The additional investment in the NHS will be essential for meeting existing need and for the upcoming reform agenda, all of which should help people to live healthier lives. However, the lack of attention on essential adult social care services, as well as preventative and community-based care, is something we hope will be remedied in future, including through the Casey Commission.
"As we reflect on the aims outlined by the Chancellor today, we remember our calling as followers of Jesus Christ, who came to bring good news to the poor. It is therefore a moral and practical imperative to ensure that public spending is focused particularly on people living in poverty or who otherwise have been made vulnerable by their circumstances. In that context, while we recognise and affirm the Government's responsibility to safeguard our national security, this requires investment not just in defence, but also in development and diplomacy, in order to address, prevent and resolve the root causes of conflicts. We should not neglect our duty of care to some of the poorest people in the world, including many within the Anglican Communion.
"Closer to home, we welcome the Government’s first steps towards driving down child poverty, through direct interventions such as the extension of free school meals, as well as legislating around the wider causes such as working conditions and security of tenure for renters. We look forward to the publication of a child poverty strategy later this year which builds on this by abolishing the two-child limit and benefit cap, giving hope and opportunity to children and their families right across the country.
"There are difficult choices ahead about how to fund the aims and priorities outlined today. We hope and pray that this promising spending review will go some way towards creating the conditions for the flourishing of individuals, communities and the whole country."
The Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, Lord Bishop of Newcastle (Lead Bishop for Economics and Business)
The Rt Revd Dr David Walker, Lord Bishop of Manchester (Lords Spiritual Convenor)