£1.6 Billion Boost for Church of England’s Mission and Ministry

The Church of England’s General Synod has approved a record-breaking £1.6 billion funding plan for 2026-2028, marking a 36% increase from the previous triennium. This substantial investment will support parish work, clergy wellbeing, safeguarding initiatives, and communities with the lowest incomes. The funding plan, tabled by the Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, aims to enhance clergy pensions, implement recommendations from the Diocesan Finances Review, and promote fair resource allocation across dioceses.

A key aspect of the funding plan is the improvement of clergy pensions, with a proposed amendment ensuring restitution for affected pensioners and calling for an independent review into long-term retirement support. The Synod also emphasized the need for increased stakeholder engagement in shaping national funding decisions and a bigger role for Synod in determining future spending plans. These measures aim to promote transparency, accountability, and fairness in the allocation of resources.

The Church Commissioners’ careful stewardship of funds was recognized, with a full debate on future funding frameworks promised for the next triennium. The funding plan will support various initiatives, including:

– Clergy Wellbeing: A 10.7% rise in clergy stipends, enhancing their overall wellbeing and effectiveness in ministry.
– Safeguarding and Redress: Allocation of £30 million for national safeguarding work and £150 million for the new National Redress scheme.
– Low-Income Communities: Increased support for churches serving disadvantaged communities, with funding set to jump from £91 million to £133.5 million.
– Net Zero Carbon: Investment in initiatives to help the Church of England achieve its Net Zero carbon target by 2030.