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Faith leaders and humanists and scientists unite on child poverty - 15th of Apr, 2009

We write as faith leaders, humanists and scientists united in our commitment to the eradication of child poverty in the UK. In our current economic crisis, moral leadership is needed to rebuild an economy in which values come before markets, paying attention to the poor, the marginalised and the vulnerable. An end to children growing up in poverty must be a founding principle.

Economists argue that targeting resources to poor families quickly stimulates the economy, as they immediately spend to keep a warm home, put food on the table and shoes on feet (Our tax system is a mess, 11 April). While we hope that the chancellor will consider the economic argument, our primary concern is the moral imperative we have to help the country’s poorest children. It is their need that is greatest in this crisis.

Taking the final steps to halve child poverty by 2010 is far more affordable than the bailouts for failed financial institutions and will deliver so much more in return by safeguarding the health of our children, the quality of their education and the joy of their play. We therefore add our voices to the 110 MPs and thousands of campaigners who have called on the chancellor for action in the budget to “Keep the Promise” on child poverty.

Yours Sincerely,

Revd Dr Martyn Atkins – General Secretary of the Methodist Conference, Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari – Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, Rt Revd Nick Baines – Bishop of Croydon, Professor Patrick Bateson – University of Cambridge, Anil Bhanot – General Secretary, Hindu Council UK, Rt Revd Ian Brackley – Bishop of Dorking, Rt Revd Paul Butler – Bishop of Southampton, Rt Revd Tom Butler – Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd George Cassidy – Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, Rt Revd Dr Brian Castle – Bishop of Tonbridge, Peter Cave – Humanist Philosophers, Rt Revd Colin Fletcher – Bishop of Dorchester, Kathy Galloway – Leader the Iona Community, Rt Revd Mike Hill – Bishop of Bristol, Rt Rev David James – Bishop of Bradford, Rt Revd David Lunan – Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Fiona Millar, Rev Paul Nicolson – Chairman Zacchaeus 2000 Trust, Rt Revd Stephen Oliver – Bishop of Stepney, Rt Revd John Packer – Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, Dr Kate Pickett – University of York, Claire Rayner OBE – Vice President of the Humanist Association, Professor Steven Rose – The Open University, Rt Revd John Saxbee – Bishop of Lincoln, Mike Seaton – Director of Children and Youth, The Methodist Church, Dr Natubhai Shah – Chair, Jain Network, Founder President Jain Samaj Europe, Dr Indarjit Singh - Director Network of Sikh Organisations, Rt Revd Kenneth Stevenson – Bishop of Portsmouth, Rt Revd Nigel Stock – Bishop of St. Edsmundsbury and Ipswich, Polly Toynbee – President of the British Humanist Association, Professor Richard Wilkinson – University of Nottingham, Professor Lewis Wolpert – Vice President of the Humanist Association.