Steve Chalke’s speech opened a debate organised and chaired by the Lib Dem Shadow Secretary for Work and Pensions, Steve Webb and the Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors. The debate, entitled ‘Should Councils spend public money on faith-based service providers?’ was well attended by MPs, Councillors and party activists from across the country.

Steve was invited to speak at the debate because of his role as initiator of Faithworks, a national campaign set up to highlight the extraordinary contribution being made by faith-based groups and churches to local communities across the country.

Responding for the Lib Dem’s, Bridget Fox, Deputy Leader of the London Borough of Islington, acknowledged the difficulties of using public money for faith-based initiatives. She did however insist that supporting faith groups could be a way of promoting diversity within communities. Cllr Fox went on to praise the dedication of faith-based groups, many of whom step in to fill the gaps left by local authority cut-backs, particularly with ‘unfashionable’ projects such as housing, mental health and counselling. Steve Chalke and Bridget Fox agreed that faith-based projects must demonstrate quality of service, diversity of provision, empowerment and accessibility if they are to receive council funding. Part of the ongoing remit of Faithworks is to assist faith-based service providers to maintain these high standards.

During the debate Reverend Chalke also quoted from new guidelines, which will shortly be issued by the Local Government Association to all local authorities, encouraging them to work more closely with faith groups. These guidelines were commissioned by the LGA following pressure from Faithworks campaigners.

This high-profile event followed on from Steve Chalke’s meeting with Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy in May 2001 to discuss Mr Kennedy’s support for faith-based initiatives.  Rev Chalke and Faithworks National Co-ordinator Nathan Oley also met with Education Minister Stephen Timms last week to discuss the issue of faith-based schools. Next week they will be addressing The Conservative Party’s Renewing One Nation Unit to ensure that the truth that faith works is increasingly acknowledged throughout all political parties.