14 Million in Poverty: Church of England Launches Massive New Anti Poverty Crusade

Church of England Votes to Renew Fight Against Poverty 40 Years After Landmark Report

The Church of England's General Synod has voted to intensify its anti poverty efforts, recommitting to ending poverty in all its forms during a debate held on February 12, 2026. The motion marks the 40th anniversary of the landmark "Faith in the City" report, originally commissioned by Archbishop Robert Runcie in response to inner city decline and the 1981 riots across English cities.

Mark Sheard from the Archbishops' Council addressed the Synod with a stark reminder of the scale of the crisis.

There are 14 million people living in poverty in our nation, one in five of our population. Each one is a real life person, a woman, a child, a family.

Church of England parishes currently operate or support more than 31,000 social projects nationwide, including nearly 8,000 food banks and over 3,000 community cafes. Despite this enormous charitable effort, poverty persists and disproportionately affects ethnic minorities and disabled individuals across Britain.

A December poll conducted by Christians Against Poverty revealed that approximately 23 percent of British adults have received aid from a church or Christian organisation within the past five years. The Synod acknowledged that while churches are making a major contribution to social welfare, some organisations providing emergency food aid are being driven to breaking point by demand.

Rev Lesley Jones, Rector of Jarrow and Simonside in Durham's Diocese, urged churches to raise awareness of their work.

Let as many people know as possible what you are doing, that the Church of England cares, because God cares.

The Synod also agreed that churches must listen to people living in poverty and that the battle against poverty should include asking questions about its root causes, not only responding through services such as food banks.

General Synod Recommits to Ending UK Poverty as 14 Million Struggle to Survive

The original "Faith in the City" report, published in 1985, was heralded as a landmark document for Christian social action and led to the foundation of the Church Urban Fund, which continues to help churches in deprived areas serve their communities. Forty years later, the Synod's renewed commitment signals that the Church of England intends to remain at the forefront of the fight against poverty in Britain.

The Crusader's Opinion

Nearly one in four adults in Britain has turned to the Church for help. Let that sink in. While governments debate budgets and opposition parties chase headlines, it is the Body of Christ that feeds the hungry, clothes the poor, and opens its doors to the desperate. The Church has always been the last line of defence for the most vulnerable, and it always will be. But let us be clear: charity alone is not enough. We must demand that our leaders address the root causes of poverty rather than leaving the Church to mop up the wreckage of failed policies. Fourteen million people living in poverty in one of the wealthiest nations on earth is not just a political failure. It is a moral indictment.

Take Action

• Support the Church Urban Fund's work helping churches fight poverty in deprived communities: cuf.org.uk
• Volunteer at or donate to your local church food bank. Find one near you through the Trussell Trust: trusselltrust.org
• Support Christians Against Poverty's mission to free people from debt and poverty: capuk.org
• Give to The Shepherd's Shield, supporting persecuted and vulnerable Christians worldwide: www.TheShepherdsShield.org
• Write to your local MP demanding government action on the root causes of poverty, including housing costs, wages, and disability support. Find your MP at parliament.uk