Faith groups criticise proposed welfare cap
The government's proposed welfare caps face opposition from faith groups
Quakers have lambasted the government’s proposed cap on household benefits as ‘a blunt and cruel instrument’. They spoke out as the House of Lords rejected key sections of the Welfare Reform Bill.
‘We know the government intends to make cuts, but we object to it being at the expense of those who are unable to work,’ said Paul Parker, recording clerk, and most senior staff member, of Quakers in Britain. He made the comments in a statement issued jointly with the Baptist Union, Methodist Church and United Reformed Church. The Quaker intervention follows a decision by Meeting for Sufferings, the national committee of British Friends, to campaign against welfare cuts.
The government proposes limiting the income of a household that relies on benefits to £26,000 per year. Paul Parker said that this ‘takes no account of family size and could split families’. The four groups involved accepted that ‘the vast majority of families require less than £26,000 to meet their basic needs’. They emphasised that if a family qualifies for more than this, it is because of ‘exceptional need’.
‘A benefit system which deliberately ignores the needs of a vulnerable minority will make the UK a darker and less humane place to live in,’ insisted Jonathan Edwards, general secretary of the Baptist Union.
The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) said that the proposal is ‘built on a foundation of myths’, including the notion that it will only apply to unemployed people. It would also apply to part-time workers. The CPAG called instead for restrictions on private rents that would keep down the cost of housing benefit.
The Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches frequently issue joint statements on current affairs via their Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT). Quakers now appear to be working alongside them more frequently.
The Methodist Church’s Rachel Lampard, who is JPIT’s team leader, told the Friend that the four groups have ‘common concerns for society’ on a number of issues. ‘We are confident that this constructive working relationships will continue,’ she added.
Michael Bartlet, parliamentary liaison secretary of British Quakers, said that JPIT have a ‘keen sense of justice’. He explained: ‘Working together ecumenically deepens our understanding of shared spiritual roots and broadens our political reach’.
The views of faith groups have played a central role in the debate on the benefit cap. The Anglican bishop of Ripon and Leeds, John Packer, successfully proposed an amendment to remove child benefit from the calculation. He pointed out that a family in employment remains entitled to child benefit. Shortly afterwards, he was attacked by the former archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, who defended the government’s position.
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