Benefit boost should be made permanent, says Bishop of Durham

The Bishop of Durham Paul Butler Picture By Keith Blundy

The Bishop of Durham has called for the £20 increase to Universal Credit to be made permanent.

The Government introduced the increase during the pandemic but it is due to be reversed in April 2021 after the Chancellor did not commit to extending it in his recent spending review. 

A new poll by the Health Foundation and Ipsos MORI shows strong public support (59%) for the change to be made permanent, with only a fifth saying they were opposed to this. 

Bishop Paul Butler said the findings were "very encouraging" and that the Government should "respond positively" to the Health Foundation's report. 

"Report after report has highlighted the importance of this uplift," he said. 

"Consistently those working with the most vulnerable from across the political spectrum have called for this to become permanent." 

He added: "I continue to hope that they will also re-think their position on the other 'Legacy Benefits' and raise these by the same £20."

News
Texas holds day of prayer in wake of devastating flash floods
Texas holds day of prayer in wake of devastating flash floods

A day of prayer was observed across Texas on Sunday as the state continues to respond to devastating flash floods that have killed dozens, including a number of children who were attending a Christian summer camp. 

Is a 'quiet revival' really taking place? Shock new study findings suggest Christianity may be in retreat
Is a 'quiet revival' really taking place? Shock new study findings suggest Christianity may be in retreat

The challenge before the Christian Church is both stark and clear: to understand and engage a new generation if it is to have a future. 

What was the Welsh Revival and why should you know about it?
What was the Welsh Revival and why should you know about it?

The Welsh Revival of 1904 was anything but quiet, leading to the worldwide Pentecostal and charismatic movements. This is the story …

Church bombing in Syria is 'not sectarian conflict but persecution'
Church bombing in Syria is 'not sectarian conflict but persecution'

A deadly suicide bombing at a Damascus church on Sunday June 22 has reignited urgent calls for global recognition of the ongoing persecution of Syria’s religious minorities.