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 full-time stipendiary priests.

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

There has been a significant rise in candidates for ordinantion for each of the last two years, with numbers of ordinations up by 34% this last Petertide (June). There is a general focus on all forms of ordained ministry, including fulltime, stipendiary vocations to the priesthood.

An improved maintenance package for fulltime ordinands is begining this year, representing a significant additional investment in ordinand wellbeing. There have also been significant recent investments in clergy wellbeing, including increases to the stipend and pension entitlements.