The vital role of Christian ministers in building social capital and community cohesion within England and Wales has been recognised in provisional arrangements to secure the future of funding for clergy training, following changes to higher education funding announced last year.

In September 2007, the Secretary of State for Innovation, Skills and Universities, John Denham MP, asked the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to phase out the funding it makes available to higher education institutions to fund students embarking on courses for which they already hold an equivalent or higher level qualification.

The Church of England led representations detailing the unintentional impact this policy would have on a range of denominations and their ability to train future ministers of religion, many candidates for which already hold first degrees.

While the Church of England funds the majority of the cost of training its clergy at a cost of around £16.5 million each year, HEFCE funding represents an important element of the package that enables higher education institutions to offer training for ministry.

Following extensive consultation between the Ministry Division of the Archbishops' Council of the Church of England and HEFCE, the two bodies are considering a one-year delay in the implementation of the policy for the withdrawal of funding for those embarking on a theology course for ministerial training while already holding an equivalent or higher qualification.

During that year, aided by external consultants, the Ministry Division will work with HEFCE and existing training institutions to set up a programme of Foundation Degrees and employer (Church) co-funded Bachelor level Degrees (which are eligible for HEFCE funding). The proposals build on the long-standing engagement between the Churches and higher educational institutions.

This period of one year will also be used for curriculum development and approval, as required.

This emerging solution will now be subject to extensive consultation across Churches and training institutions.

The co-funding degree option will involve the church engaging with higher education institutions along the lines of the government's employer co-funding policies.

HEFCE funding for the additional foundation and co-funded degree numbers may come either from within existing places or by providing additional places at higher education institutions that are prepared to invest in this provision. This might include higher education institutions with expertise in vocational training, including those with Church foundations.

However, it is far from a definitive solution, explains the Rt Rev Graham James, Bishop of Norwich and Chair of Ministry Division: "The changing landscape of higher education funding has left the Churches with an urgent need to chart an new map that enables us to continue training ministers for the future."

The Church of England currently pays around £16.5m per annum for ordination training, raised mostly by the direct giving of the parishes.

"Failure to accept these changes could mean that the Church of England would have to find up to an additional £1.5m for ministerial training at time when parishes already have to meet the cost of increased numbers in training," he warned.

"Such changes inevitably involve the active support of a range of organisations, and yet the timescale in which to implement those changes is very challenging. What can't be escaped is that some traditional methods of delivery will need to be readdressed to reflect an increasingly practical emphasis in our ministerial training, but we remain committed to offering academically stimulating courses for all ordinands," the Bishop continued.

"What should be warmly welcomed is the acknowledgement that Church of England and other ministers are sometimes the only professionals who both work and reside in their community, providing an important social and religious focus in terms of pastoral care, leadership and fostering community cohesion. While the details of the funding package are still uncertain, this agreement represents a significant development."