Poverty

Responsible Lending

The three churches have a long history of concern for vulnerable people being exploited by unscrupulous lenders; indeed the first Methodist Building was both a meeting house and a Loan dispensary to help people escape from load sharks.

We have responded to an OFT consultation which seeks to set regulations as to what lenders need to do before lending money. The central principle to the response was, that all people should be treated with dignity and respect and their gift of free will not be compromised by the need to service repayable debts. A major policy implication of this was that lenders should not lend unless they can confirm that the borrower has a good prospect of both servicing the loan and removing themselves from debt within a reasonable timescale.

Download the consultation response (PDF)

The Global Economic Crisis

The economic crisis is expected to hit developing countries causing a loss of jobs, export revenues and reduced government spending on health and education. The Department for International Development is producing a new White Paper this year. The Baptist Union, Methodist Church, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and the United Reformed Church submitted a joint response to a DfID consultation. Read the response (Pdf).

Migration

For resources, information and reflections about migration and people movement please visit our Migration Matters pages.

Citizens for Sanctuary are a grass-roots organisation that unite many sectors of civil society to push for 'justice for people fleeing persecution and rebuild public support for sanctuary'.

Leaders from the Baptist Union, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have all promoted the campaign to political leaders and activists.

The latest move of the campaign is to challenge each of us to take action and deliver justice to those seeking sanctuary.

Download a poster and display it in your local church

Baptist Union poster (pdf), Methodist poster (pdf), United Reformed Church poster (pdf)

Detention of Children

Leaders and members of the Baptist Union, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church were involved in the 'One More Card' campaign calling for the end of the practice of children whose claim for sanctuary had not be successfull.

The coalition government announced a review of the practice, seeking alternatives, and the churches responded.

Download the consultation response.