Dear Friends,
As summer gets underway and schools finish for the holidays, we are beginning to look ahead at what life over the next few months might look like. As churches, closely linked to our local communities, we know that this transition will be different for everyone. New challenges will arise, particularly for those locked in poverty, facing unemployment or dealing with physical and mental health challenges. It continues to be incredibly important that we Stay Alert to Justice, seeking to include everyone in recovery.
This month, as we respond to the Government’s plans, we’re inviting you to explore with us what an economy that supports us from recovery to flourishing might look like. We’ve also got some calls to action, to speak out with Fairtrade farmers and countries facing overwhelming debt.
|
Many of you will be involved in churches who are considering what ‘mission’ looks like for you in the coming months. We pray that you will have the space and resources to listen to your communities, and become part of building a recovery prioritising justice and peace.
Every Blessing
Hannah & the JPIT team
|
|
|
From Recovery to Flourishing
|
As Churches, we long for the flourishing of people and the
wellbeing of our planet. As we emerge from the coronavirus crisis, we find
ourselves at a critical moment where we could re-shape the economy to enable
the wellbeing of all people and the planet.
Read more about our vision for an economy which supports us
from Recovery to Flourishing.
|
|
|
On 9 July, the UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a Budget Update, outlining measures for the next steps of economic recovery. How did it
match up with our shared vision of an economy which supports us from Recovery
to Flourishing? Read Paul’s response.
|
Cancel the Debt – Call to Action
|
This weekend, G20 finance ministers will be meeting. High on their agenda will be responding to the
pandemic.
That’s why we’re calling on UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak to
support the cancellation of debt repayments for some of the world’s poorest
countries.
|
Keep KitKat Fairtrade – Call to Action
|
Nestlé has announced that, from October 2020, KitKats will no
longer contain Fairtrade cocoa and sugar. As a result 27,000 sugar and cocoa farmers will lose the Fairtrade
Premium annually, with no guarantee that they will remain supported.
Read why this is bad news for
farmers, especially in the time of the pandemic, and join our
call for change.
|
The world as we emerge from lockdown and beyond will be very
different. We have all been impacted by
the pandemic, but for some the situation has been devastating. What will this mean for local churches as
they work out what mission within local communities looks like?
Using our own research and learning from experts, we’ve
begun to explore the context in which churches will be supporting their
communities.
|
We
want to hear from you! Do you think our findings reflect your community’s
experiences of the pandemic and the lockdown? Get in touch at enquiries@jointpublicissues.org.uk.
|
Digitalising Democracy with the new Archbishop of York
|
|
|
“There’s only one world now- the digital world, how do
we want to live in it?”
In this episode of the Faith in Politics Podcast, Cameron and Rosella interview the brand new Archbishop of York, Stephen
Cottrell. He talks of how joining the Lords Communications Select Committee
“radicalised” him to the importance of online regulation of the
public space and how speaking out on issues of injustice is central to the
gospel.
Listen on Soundcloud, Spotify, iTunes, Podcast Addict and other platforms now.
|
|
|
Churches have supported families experiencing holiday hunger
for years. How will things look different this summer?
Read the blog here.
|
“We are facing a time when more people need Universal Credit
than ever before. Many will need genuine “support into work”, and this National
Audit Office report does nothing to indicate that Universal Credit is up to the
job.”
Last week, the National Audit Office reported on Universal
Credit – and again found it wanting.
Read Paul’s comments here.
|
|
|
|
|
On 23rd June, the Government committed to fully
implement the recommendations of the Windrush Lessons Learnt review. This
includes a full review of the Hostile Environment policies.
Read our response.
|
It’s been almost one month since the Government announced that the Department for International Aid would be merged with the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office. Speaking with 20 years’ experience in International
Development, Simeon Mitchell responded.
Read the blog here.
|
|
|
|
|
We’re on Instagram! You can follow JPIT on Instagram at @public.issues.
Follow us here.
|
Life on the Breadline
blog posts during Covid-19
Life on the Breadline is a three year research project
analysing the nature, scope and impact of Church action on UK poverty in the
context of austerity. During the
Covid-19 pandemic they have featured a series of guest blog posts, that look at the impact of Covid-19 on communities,
charities and organisations in the UK.
Read the blog here.
|
|