Question

To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, What steps the Church of England is taking to increase the number of ordinands.

The Ministry Development Board chaired by the Lord Bishop of Chester, has launched a national programme, called 'What is your part in God's Story', with targeted resources made available across the Church.

There has been a significant rise in candidates for ordination for each of the last two years, with numbers of ordinantions up by 34% this last Petertide (June).

An improved maintenance package for fulltime ordinands is begining this year and represents a significant extra investment by the Church to improve ordinand wellbeing.