In Depth:  poverty

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Belfast and poverty – both physical and spiritual

Belfast and poverty – both physical and spiritual
Andrew Irwin
Andrew Irwin

“It is winter in Narnia and has been for ever so long ... Always winter, but never Christmas,” the faun Mr. Tumnus responds to the despair of Lucy Pevensie in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Haunting, beautiful, and powerful imagery that author C.S. Lewis used to describe life in Narnia under the White Witch.

Imagery that I loved, but will now confess, I had never really understood, until God called me to minister in the place that is now home.

Christian charity helps 35,000 become debt-free

Christian charity helps 35,000 become debt-free
Luke Randall
Luke Randall

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is celebrating 30 years of service, during which it has helped families clear over half a billion pounds of debt, given money or job coaching to over 100,000 people, and helped 35,000 become debt-free.

As CAP revealed in a new report, less than a quarter of their clients have the means to repay their debts in what is considered a suitable timeframe, down significantly from 40 per cent, 12 years ago. The level of debt clients owe has also soared, showing debt is a growing problem as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.

Millions helped by UK churches

Millions helped by UK churches
Luke Randall
Luke Randall

Around 12.5 million people in the UK have been helped by a church or a Christian organisation, while almost two thirds of adults believe churches will play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable people over the next year, a new study has found.

New research undertaken by Christians Against Poverty (CAP) suggests that the church has never played a more vital role in supporting those in need as the cost-of-living crisis continues to hit hard.

Autumn Budget: Christian charity reacts

Autumn Budget: Christian charity reacts
Christians Against Poverty

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) has recognised the importance of the government's decision to remove the two-child limit, while highlighting that without the removal of the overall cap on the payment of benefits for families, children may still face poverty. 

The national debt help charity recognises the benefits of supporting children to grow up with sufficient income to access the essentials, which many currently cannot. CAP has highlighted that by ensuring the social security system supports every child in a household, the Chancellor is actively addressing the barriers to a thriving childhood and future opportunities to fulfil their potential.

Help as homelessness in Scotland reaches crisis point

Help as homelessness in Scotland reaches crisis point
Emily Pollok
Emily Pollok

The homelessness problem in Scotland is reaching a crisis point, according to new figures released by the Scottish Government.

They reveal that more than 17,000 households were in council-funded accommodation in March which is a six per cent increase from last year’s figures. The number of households classified as “homeless” last year was the most it has been since 2012.

Poverty: How faith moves mountains

Poverty: How faith moves mountains
Lyn Weston
Lyn Weston

On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (17 October 2025), we are reminded that the fight against poverty is not just a policy issue or a humanitarian goal, it’s our Biblical mandate.

Around the world, churches are not only preaching hope; they are living it. In communities where poverty seems insurmountable, the church is often the first to respond, the last to leave and the most persistent in believing that change is possible.

Ministering in an area of deprivation today

Ministering in an area of deprivation today
Jonathan Macy
Jonathan Macy

Reflecting on one’s journey through life and ministry is always a fascinating exercise, helping us see where God has been actively working beyond our efforts.

In 2014, I joined the Church of the Cross (Thamesmead), which is in an area of significant deprivation, at a time when it was facing significant challenges, and I quickly realised that my college hadn’t prepared me for the realities I was now stepping into.

Churches bring hope amid poverty

Churches bring hope amid poverty
Luke Randall
Luke Randall

Churches are increasingly being seen as places of “genuine hope and care” by struggling families who are struggling to feed their children, according to Christians Against Poverty (CAP).

The organisation recently released its latest Client Report, which highlights the impact of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The research revealed that 12% of UK parents have skipped meals during the last year to feed their children, while 59% of clients have borrowed money to pay for their regular food shop.

Evangelical charity sounds alarm on UK poverty

Evangelical charity sounds alarm on UK poverty
Christians Against Poverty

Parents on low incomes are facing immense pressure this summer, with some even going hungry so their children can eat.

Christians Against Poverty’s (CAP) latest Opinium polling found more than 1 in 10 parents with kids under the age of 18 have skipped food in the past year so their child(ren) could eat - as a result of financial challenges.

Trailblazing initiative brings gospel to disadvantaged

Trailblazing initiative brings gospel to disadvantaged
Emily Pollok
Emily Pollok

Four years since its inception, a pioneering initiative to bring the gospel to economically disadvantaged and ethnic minority areas is bringing transformation across the UK.

The Sychar Gospel Fund was established in 2021 with a vision to support local churches in the poorest areas of Britain – it has distributed more than £1.4 million in grants to 125 men and women from 40 different churches to date.

London poverty ‘shocking’ – claim

London poverty ‘shocking’ – claim
Iain Taylor
Iain Taylor

A total of 2.6 million adults who live in London (29% of the total) don’t have enough to live on.

This is one of a number of shocking statistics revealed by Christians Against Poverty (CAP) during Challenge Poverty Week. Many of CAP’s clients currently have a deficit budget, meaning their income doesn’t cover their basic essentials. On average they are £273 a month short of what they need to cover basics such as food, energy bills and rent. The situation is set to worsen as winter looms.

Letter

Causes of poverty?
Date posted: 26 Oct 2024

Dear Editor,

Iain Taylor’s disturbing report on poverty, in the October issue of en, highlights rocketing rent and energy costs as major factors. Would surging immigration and panicking net zero driven by a progressive but comfortable middle class have anything to do with this?

Christian report reveals extent of poverty in the UK

Christian report reveals extent of poverty in the UK
Iain Taylor
Iain Taylor

A groundbreaking report from a major Christian organisation is claiming that millions of Britons have ‘shockingly low incomes’ which leave them struggling to find enough money for food.

CAP (Christians Against Poverty)’s 2024 Client Report reveals that millions are now at breaking point – without even the basics reckoned as essential, and fearing the arrival of debt collectors at any moment.

Registered Charity No. 296794. All content Evangelicals Now