Displaying items by tag: British Isles

Christian churches and charities say the government’s Illegal Migration Bill is ‘senselessly cruel’ and will have a ‘devastating impact’ on lives. Almost 300 civil society groups and charities have signed a statement expressing concern over the Bill which will now become law after ministers overruled a series of House of Lords challenges. The bill will make claiming asylum in the UK via irregular routes illegal and pushes forward the plan to deport asylum seekers to third countries, including the planned Rwanda partnership. It turns our country’s back on people seeking safety, blocking them from protection, support, and justice, at a time that they need it most. It risks breaching international human rights treaties such as the Refugee Convention, while shielding the Government from accountability. The Government admits it cannot confirm if the act is compatible with our obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says unclear pricing could hamper people's ability to compare products, and has told supermarkets to make their pricing clearer to help shoppers find the best deals. Retailers should make the necessary changes or risk facing enforcement action. The watchdog also called on the Government to bring in reforms to tighten the law. Under current rules, most products should be priced per unit either by kilogram or by litre. But the CMA found examples of retailers using grams and millilitres. In some instances, the same type of product, such as liquid laundry detergent, was priced per unit using different metrics, making it hard for shoppers to compare prices on a like-for-like basis. Pray for these changes to help those who cannot travel to large stores or shop online, so they must rely on higher-priced convenience stores.

The Diocese of St Albans has reported, ‘We have been informed of the resignation of Canon Mike Pilavachi from his employment at Soul Survivor Watford, and want to stress that a safeguarding investigation will continue in line with House of Bishops guidance. We will continue to listen to and offer support to those who come forward.’ The joint investigation is being run by the diocese  and the National Safeguarding Team, independently of Soul Survivor. The Church Times reported Matt Redman speaking of ‘harmful behaviour by church leadership’ and in Premier Christian News Matt said he spent years healing from his time at Soul Survivor. The Telegraph reported the Church’s abuse investigation as ‘toothless’, with no power to punish preachers. There are a number of current abuse scandals leaving a trail of destruction across the church.

The 2023 Next Level Prayer Conference, at Wembley Arena, opened its doors to over 10,000 worshippers. Recently Justin Welby has said there was an alarming drop in church congregations. Pastor Bolaji, leader of the Harvesters, who initiated the conference, said, ‘The popularity of the conference, which saw thousands of people coming together, proves there is still a vibrant community looking for a place to come together in spirit and worship. The essence of Harvesters is to provide unity and a beacon of hope and direction in turbulent times. While church attendance may be declining, we see this as an opportunity not a deterrent. It signifies a need for a different approach that resonates with today's world. Our expansion is driven by our belief that the gospel's transformative message, presented in a way that addresses contemporary challenges and speaks to people's lived experiences, is more relevant than ever.’

Gatherings or expressions of prayer and worship occur daily throughout rural Britain, often focused on local ministry and needs. Quiet spaces, indoors and out, are offered for those seeking a place to be still in the presence of the Lord. Many are Christ-centred, but some mix or confuse beliefs and practices from other faiths, spirits and old pagan ways. We thank God for existing faithful prayer. Pray for greater connectedness amongst those praying and worshipping in our counties, and for regional or local clusters of believers to join together and support one another transcending traditional boundaries. Pray for a fuller, deeper revelation of the love of God and the reality of the Lord Jesus Christ as people pray. Pray for intentional prayer and worship to lift His name high and to see the spiritual climate change across our countryside, and for beacons of light and truth to be established in homes, hamlets and villages, the valleys and the hilltops, shining ever more brightly.

The Sun newspaper reported that a well-known BBC presenter has paid over £35,000 to a 17-year-old to fund his drug habit in exchange for explicit images of himself. A week later the BBC suspended Huw Edwards. But the BBC's investigation will need to tread carefully as the presenter has severe mental health issues. The BBC has a duty of care towards him as an employee, and that must be respected. He is in an internal corporate BBC process. On 12 July the Sun reported him breaking lockdown rules in 2021 to meet someone from a dating site. Without having seen the evidence people can't judge the outcome. Pray for an end to unhelpful media speculation. It could be a reprimand. It could be dismissal. It could need reputational rehabilitation. See

The Illegal Migration bill is central to stopping small boats crossing the Channel. A Lords sitting on the Bill branded it disgraceful and made changes. On 12 July MPs rejected those changes. Theresa May said the bill would consign more people to slavery. Many Tories wanted a different approach. But they could not stop MPs rejecting the Lords amendments. The bill now returns to the Lords for more marathon voting sessions. The Lords amendments are backed by figures including Justin Welby. The Salvation Army said, ‘The UK risks undermining our world-leading system of protections and lifesaving services for vulnerable victims of crime. These include people tricked into coming to the UK illegally and under false pretences, to be exploited in our farms, factories, and building sites or trapped and traded in brothels and even homes.’ Should the bill become law, victims will lose vital protection. MPs will debate it again next week.

An Ipsos poll of 1,087 people conducted between June 30 and July 3 suggests Rishi Sunak still has a long way to go to restore the Conservatives’ reputation for competence. Just 23% of people questioned said they think the Tories can run the country competently, while 57% said they cannot. The poll was not completely positive for Labour either, with the public divided on whether they like the Opposition’s policies. 27% say they do, 28% say they do not, and 25% say they don’t know much about them.

A summit on faith in the workplace was held in the PM’s office at No 10. It was chaired by Christian MP John Glen, chief secretary to the Treasury. National and multinational companies shared how they are welcoming employees to bring their whole selves to work, faith and all, by encouraging faith-friendly policies. They see a person’s religious beliefs as an asset with bottom line benefits rather than a problem to be solved or avoided. At the event, OVO Energy received the award for being the most faith-friendly national UK workplace in 2023. The group announced that a national summit on Faith-and-Belief@Work will be held in November at London’s Salesforce Tower. Rishi Sunak, the UK’s first Hindu PM, is invited to keynote the summit.

Junior doctors began a five-day strike on 13 July. It is the longest walkout in the NHS’s history. The strikes are being held even though the government has accepted recommendations from pay review bodies for teachers, civil servants and NHS workers, for pay rises of between 5% and 7%. BMA leaders are urging the Government to return to the negotiating table to resolve the situation that has led to thousands of cancelled operations and consultations. BMA leaders Dr Robert Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi said, ‘We can call this strike off today if the Government will simply follow the example of the government in Scotland and drop their nonsensical precondition of not talking whilst strikes are announced and produce an offer which is credible to the doctors they are speaking with. Their refusal to talk with junior doctors who have strikes planned is out of keeping with all norms of industrial action.’