The Rt Rev Graham James, Bishop of Norwich.
PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY
Bishop of Norwich slams welfare cuts
by DAN GRIMMER
Monday, November 21, 2011
6:30 AM
The Bishop of Norwich has called for the government to think again over planned welfare reforms, which he warned could leave families homeless by forcing them to choose between rent or food.
Bishop Graham James was one of 18 Church of England bishops who signed a letter sent to a national newspaper criticising the coalition’s Welfare Reform Bill, which includes a planned £500-a-week benefits cap for families.
The bishops are concerned that the policy will leave children facing “severe poverty and potentially homelessness”.
They are supporting a series of amendments to the Bill - set to be debated in the House of Lords today, which have been drawn up with held from the Children’s Society.
The bishops’ criticism of the government has been supported by Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is a president of the Children’s Society.
Bishop Graham explained his reasons for signing the letter. He said: “It’s because the unemployment figures this week demonstrate just how many people who want a job can’t find one.
“The benefit cap, of course, is being introduced to ensure there isn’t an incentive to remain on benefits rather than work, but it’s the way its being introduced which can penalise children in large families.
“We’re asking the government to reconsider the way they’re introduced. For example, they could take child benefit out of the equation, which would help children in large families.
“A large family could quickly have to choose between rent and food and become homeless and the cost to society would be much larger.”
The policy was defended by the Department for Work and Pensions. A spokesman said: “It simply isn’t fair that households on out-of-work benefits can receive a greater income from the state than the average working household gets in wages. “This is why we have proposed a benefit cap of around £500 a week.”
• What do you think of the reforms? Write to Evening News Letters, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE or email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk
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5 comments
NO Kids?= no handouts ever.the non breeders should get a one off payment from Govt.
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bookworm
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
The planned benefits cap does not go nearly enough, £350 per week is far more realistic. Yes I know there will be bleeding heart liberals and readers of the Guardian who would be horrified. But let me be perfectly clear about this (Yes, the phrase of the moment) No one will starve. Welfare reform cuts are being savagely applied elseware, the old and infirm particularly so. From April a 50% cut in Sheltered housing support!!!!!! Now this could get the Bishop of Norwich reaching for his quill.
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Moaning Lisa
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Not a bad little earner that 500 squid a week, no rent,no council tax, no fares to get to work....easy money, with no worries about falling ill or losing pay because kids need looking after or the car won't start. I think this man is more in touch with god than the real reality of the hard pressed and badly paid WORKERS....Get a grip man!!!!!!!
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nrg
Monday, November 21, 2011
I sympathise with those that have large famillies and have worked all their lives paying into the system then sudenly find themselves unemployedredundant. However, as far as the rest are concerned, I think you've summed it up well.
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Andy T
Monday, November 21, 2011
£500 cap, I wish that I had a weekly wage of £500. I object to people who churn out kids as if they were on a production line, and people who move into this country because it is an easy life for them, and before anyone starts it does not matter where they come from. It is time that benefits were capped. Maybe it would make certain people in society take responsibility for their own actions.
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chebram71
Monday, November 21, 2011