UK Catholics call on Chancellor to tackle poverty

Homeless tents, central London. ICN/JS

Source: Catholic Union

Leading Catholic organisations across the UK have called on the Chancellor to focus on tackling poverty ahead of the Spring Budget this year.

Catholic Bishops in England, and Wales, and Scotland along with CAFOD, CSAN, and the Catholic Union of Great Britain have written to the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, calling on him to "put tackling poverty at the heart" of the next Budget, which is due to take place on 6 March.

In what is likely to be the last Budget before the next General Election, Catholic organisations have made a joint representation to the Treasury on the need to help people escape poverty both at home and abroad.

The letter contains a number of policy suggestions, including the need for a fairer tax and benefit system and restoring the overseas aid budget to 0.7% of GNI as promised by the Government at the last election.

The joint letter between Catholic Bishops and lay groups is the first of its kind and shows the "deep concern" that exists within the Catholic community for the poorest in society.

The letter also calls for the Budget proposals to be assessed in relation to poverty metrics to make sure that any changes to tax and spending will benefit those on the margins of society.

Christine Allen, Director of CAFOD, comments: "Pope Francis has implored politicians and leaders to ensure that people living in poverty don't end up as an 'afterthought' in their decisions. We know that Catholics throughout the country in this election year will be urging the Chancellor and all political leaders to set out policies that help people escape poverty - both here at home and around the world."

Bishop Brian McGee, Bishop President of the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, comments: "When I travel with SCIAF I meet many people who are desperately poor. These are not to be passed over as anonymous and faceless. Each one is a human being, our sister or brother who deserves not only to be helped but justice."

James Somerville-Meikle, Catholic Union Deputy Director, comments: "There has been a great deal of speculation already about what the next Budget will contain. We strongly urge the Chancellor to use what may well be the last Budget before the next General Election to focus on the common good. Tackling poverty is something which Catholics care deeply about. This letter is a great sign of unity from the Catholic community in this country and sends a strong message that concern for the poorest in society needs to be front and centre of this next Budget."

A consultation ahead of the Spring Budget 2024 closed on 24 January. More information can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/spring-budget-2024-representations

The full text of the joint letter follows:

Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP
Chancellor of the Exchequer
HM Treasury
1 Horse Guards Road
London, SW1A 2HQ

24 January 2024

Dear Chancellor

We are writing to ask that you put tackling poverty at the heart of your Spring Budget.

The Catholic groups and organisations we represent have a deep concern for the poorest in society, both in this country and around the world.

This concern is rooted in our faith and the teachings of the Catholic Church. In Pope Francis's most recent encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, he writes: "Amid the daily concerns of political life, the smallest, the weakest, the poorest should touch our hearts: indeed, they have a 'right' to appeal to our heart and soul."

This is why we have come together to make this joint submission. Ahead of what is likely to be the last Budget before the next General Election, we urge you to focus on helping people escape poverty so they can live in dignity.

At home, this means making changes to our tax and benefit system to help families keep more of the money they earn and support those most in need.

This should include finally lifting the two-child cap on Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits; a policy which a parliamentary inquiry found had "evident, unintended consequences that no Government should be willing to accept".

Internationally, this should include returning our overseas aid budget to 0.7% of GNI in line with the commitment made in your manifesto at the last General Election. Support should also be provided by the Treasury working towards debt-relief for low-income countries that need it.

This overseas aid budget should be used to promote integral human development amongst the world's poorest. This money was never intended to be used supporting those seeking asylum in this country. Nor should it be spent without regard to a country's human rights record.

At the Budget last year, there was barely any mention of efforts to tackle poverty. We strongly encourage you to make poverty reduction central to your next Budget and encourage you to publish an impact assessment of your policies in relation to poverty metrics.

Catholic churches and charities are at the forefront of efforts to support people on the margins of society. We see the needs of the communities where we live and serve on a daily basis. We would be happy to meet you ahead of the Budget to discuss ways of reducing poverty.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Christine Allen
Director, CAFOD

Bishop Brian McGee
Bishop President, SCIAF

Raymond Friel OBE
Chief Executive, CSAN

Archbishop William Nolan
Bishop President, Justice & Peace Scotland

Bishop Richard Moth
Chair, Department of Social Justice, CBCEW

Nigel Parker
Director, Catholic Union of Great Britain