This week’s prayer points from the WPC’s 'Every Vote Counts' prayer guide are: Ask God to lead all who are undecided how to vote (Ps. 27:14). For the release of a new hunger for prayer for our nation (Is.62:6). For blessings and wisdom to guide the peoples in Northern Ireland (Pr.3:5-6). For the referendum decision to bless future generations (Lk.1:50). For strengthening unity among the peoples across the UK nations (Ps.133). For truth in all final speeches (Ja.1:5). Pray for God’s protection for every voting station and around our borders (Ps.121:7). Ask God to shape political leaders’ decisions during and after Thursday. (Ro.13:1). We declare Jesus is Lord over the decision taken across the UK (Lam.5:19). Pray for peace and stability throughout our nation and continent (Ps.72:18-19). Pray for Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, San Marino, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia to approach God’s throne of grace.

The Archbishop of York appeared on Piers Morgan’s ITV show to discuss the referendum, but the presenter changed the topic to the church's views on gay rights following the attack in Orlando. Dr Sentamu refuses to bless gay marriage but urges Christians to speak out in support of persecuted LGBT people. Piers asked, ‘What would you say if I told you that because of the colour of your skin, you can only have a civil partnership marriage?’ He replied, ‘People say that sexuality is equal in terms of argument to slavery, no it's not. Some of my relations actually died on those ships. Slavery was a very wrong thing. I have many gay friends, they see me as someone who wants to protect them from homophobia. Not supporting same-sex marriage doesn't equal homophobia.’ His comments at the same interview were inaccurately reported in the ‘Pink News’. They reported, ‘Archbishop John Sentamu says Homosexuality is not a sin.’ See

A report by the Royal Society for Public Health and the Faculty of Public Health said the Government's approach to a ‘drugs policy’ had failed, and there should be a greater focus on treatment and education. The Home Office defended its record, saying that drug misuse had declined over the past 10 years. The report said criminal sanctions failed to deter illegal drug use, undermined people's life chances, and could act as a barrier to addicts coming forward for help. It said the UK should adopt the Portuguese system under which people caught using drugs were offered treatment and support rather than being punished. However, dealers and suppliers would still be prosecuted. The report also suggested that drugs education should be made mandatory, and responsibility for drugs policy moved from the Home Office to the Department of Health. Those who misuse drugs are in need of treatment and support - not criminals in need of punishment.

Plans to shake up special educational needs funding for people with disabilities could see special units close. Cuts from £10,000 to £6,000 a year would be ‘disastrous’ and would not address the wide disparity in funding for children with similar needs. The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) said that the proposals do not address the so-called ‘top-up’ funding for children with very complex needs, where there are variabilities in funding levels for children with very similar needs (£2,000 of education funding in one local authority but £20,000 in another). The Department of Education needs to develop parameters and controls to ensure that funding is fairly distributed within local authorities. Recently, a primary school excluded thirty disabled children. Tory councillor John Lines has claimed that the 'unusually high' exclusion rate was part of a ploy to improve behaviour figures in a 'rush to become an academy'. See: