Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between James Asser and Lindsay Hoyle

Thursday 16th April 2026 Commons Chamber

[James Asser (West Ham and Beckton) (Lab)]

5. What steps the Church of England is taking to help tackle child poverty.

[Mr Speaker]

I call Marsha De Cordova.

[Marsha De Cordova]

Mr Speaker, it always feels like I am getting my exercise in at Church questions!

Through community programmes, the Church provides a significant contribution to the local economy, amounting to around £55 billion. That includes food banks, warm spaces, credit unions, school clubs and other forms of family support. The Church recently welcomed the Government’s decision to end the two-child benefit cap, and I know that in my hon. Friend’s constituency 6,200 children will be lifted out of poverty as a result.