UK child poverty plans doomed to failure
Britain's child poverty plans are ‘doomed’ to fail as 3.5 million children will be in poverty by 2020, says a watchdog chaired by former health secretary Alan Milburn. The government's draft strategy for the next three years is a ‘missed opportunity’ and falls far short of what is needed, said the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission. Mr Milburn said: ‘Our new research shows that the gap between the objective of making child poverty history and the reality is becoming ever wider.’ But, he said, child poverty was ‘not just an issue’ for the current government. ‘Across the political spectrum, party leaders now need to come clean about what they plan to do to hit the targets, or what progress they can deliver if they expect to fall short,’ he said.
Fury over parents' mistakes being reported to the state in Scotland
Scotland’s named person scheme has sparked widespread outrage after it emerged that parents will be reported to the state for trivial family incidents, including forgetting their children’s hospital appointments. Although the scheme is not set to be fully implemented until August 2016, the Scottish Parliament guidance is now being used by the NHS to justify sharing data on children with head teachers. The health board seems to be acting in advance of the law being implemented. Aidan O’Neill QC said the plans appear to be ‘predicated on the idea that the proper primary relationship that children will have for their well-being and development, nurturing and education is with the State rather than within their families and with their parents’. Director of The Christian Institute, Colin Hart, said, ‘The state seems intent on usurping the role of parents and reducing them to helpless spectators in the lives of their children.’
Pentecost: Britain’s churches take to the streets
Last weekend Britain’s multinational churches took to the streets to celebrate the birth of Christianity in vibrant style. Pentecost festivals called 'the Biggest Birthday Party Ever' took place across the country drawing on the culture of some of the world’s fastest growing churches – sharing free food, dance and music as expressions of their Christian faith. For example churches in Islington, London, staged a free multi-cultural festival in Caledonian Park with music, dancing and food from almost every continent. There was a Ghanaian choir, Argentine opera, Ethiopian and Eritrean traditional music, Mexican music and dance, a Spanish choir and Brazilian traditional music as well as jazz, soul, gospel and folk. Coventry's Big Birthday Bash run by HOPE Coventry organised a free BBQ funded by the local churches, including African drumming, a Chinese choir, and a huge birthday cake cut by the Lord Mayor. The events were linked as part of HOPE.
Prayer for revival across Norfolk
The 35th Prayer for Revival gathering started this week with pastors and churches from across the city and the region praying together in unity. Organisers are delighted that more churches are joining and actively supporting and praying for each other. The intent of Prayer for Revival is church leaders standing in agreement by involving themselves in cooperating with Jesus in building healthy churches that impact communities; bringing the rule the reign and works of Jesus across the cities, regions and beyond. The pastors and churches choose to honour one another by speaking well of each other and praying for success, growth and blessings in one another’s churches. Their ethos -‘Your success is our honour’ is a kingdom value that emphasises the words of Jesus, ‘It is more blessed to give than receive.’ It is an ‘in honour preferring one another.’
