William Hague spoke enthusiastically about his own understanding of the value of Christian-based social projects. He also assured Faithworks that the churches’ concerns about discrimination against faith-based projects have been heard loud and clear by the Conservatives who will include specific policy proposals to support such projects within their manifesto at the forthcoming election, saying;

“I warmly endorse this excellent, and much-needed, initiative. It is unacceptable that faith communities should face discrimination from public funders when their work has the potential to heal so many broken lives and communities. I will establish an Office of Civil Society at the heart of the next Conservative Government to represent the interests of faith communities and other voluntary groups. We will find ways of matching faith communities’ enthusiasm with financial support and the necessary accountability, whilst avoiding the red tape that suffocates the life and character of the successful project.”

Mr Hague went on to request a meaningful dialogue with the leaders of Faithworks and its supporters which will find effective means of securing the Campaign’s goals which have already been endorsed by over 40,000 signatories of the Faithworks Declaration, saying; “I look forward to working with Steve Chalke and representatives of other faith communities to deliver support for faith-based ministries.”

Welcoming the attention that William Hague has paid to the concerns of the churches, as expressed through the Faithworks Campaign, Steve Chalke said;

“We are delighted that the Conservatives have listened so carefully to Britain’s churches, and made specific policy promises in response to the concerns that ‘Faithworks’ has highlighted.  Faithworks will maintain dialogue with all parties in order to ensure that the promises made to faith groups are implemented and adequately funded at a national and local level across the UK.”

Faithworks has also met with the Prime Minister, Chancellor Gordon Brown and senior members of the Liberal Democrats Shadow Cabinet to communicate churches’ concerns that they are sometimes
excluded from government funding. The Campaign is working with all parties, civil servants and the Local Government Association to draw up practical proposals which will enable church-based social projects to be supported more effectively by statutory agencies.

People can increase the pressure on politicians of all parties to deliver change for faith-based projects by signing the Faithworks Declaration online or by calling 020 7450 9050. They may also inform their local media about Faithworks and what the churches are doing in their local community in the run-up to the Election, and run a hustings meeting with their local MP and prospective parliamentary candidates.

In response to a survey of 3,000 church leaders which revealed that one in five churches feel that they have been excluded from statutory funding because of their faith, the Faithworks Campaign  has drafted a Declaration which, in summary, calls on the incoming Government to:

• Establish objective funding criteria for government and local authority grants to local welfare projects based on best practice and value to the community which do not discriminate against the faith which is vital to the success of the Church’s work.
• Establish a central government mechanism to ensure the fair and uniform regional delivery of agreed policies.
• Establish appropriate forums for ongoing consultation between churches and government both at national and local levels.

A web-site and campaign book is also available, providing a comprehensive campaign guide and discussion of the ways in which faith is integral to the success of local community regeneration schemes. The book, ‘Faithworks – actions speak louder than words’, is written by Steve Chalke with a foreword by the Bishop of Liverpool, James Jones. The Faithworks Campaign will also include a major debate between senior politicians on the role of ‘The Caring Church’ hosted by Steve Chalke at the Christian Resources Exhibition on 15th May.