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Chris Radburn/PA Wire
UK News

Churches will 'absolutely' need to step in more if wealth gap widens

Speaking after new research found the country is facing inequality levels not seen since the 1980s, Church Action on Poverty says they will "absolutely" play a more important role in supporting the poor.

Director, Niall Cooper told Premier's News Hour: "We live in a fabulously wealthy society and you can see that wealth in the house prices and in the luxury goods that some people can afford.

"Yet, other people are struggling to feed themselves and their children on a daily basis."

A study by the Resolution Foundation found Britain is traveling towards a "major" slowdown in living standards before the next general election, and income growth will virtually flatline.

Director, Torsten Bell, said: "Britain has enjoyed a welcome mini-boom in living standards in recent years, but that boom is slowing rapidly as inflation rises, productivity flatlines and employment growth slows."

The research group said the richest fifth of households will experience income gains of approximately five per cent over the next four years, while the poorest will typically see a two per cent fall.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: "This report is damning of the unfair economic policies of this Chancellor, as the gap between working families and a wealthy few gets wider, with the poor getting poorer and the rich getting richer.

A Treasury spokesman said living standards are set to reach record high levels during the current parliament, and the government is helping households by freezing fuel duty and banning letting agents' fees.

Niall Cooper said the Church should take an advocacy role as well as offer practical help.

He explained: "There are practical things that churches can do but, as well as that, there's always a prophetic role of the Church in speaking out.

"I think it's both that go hand-in-hand, providing the practical support [and] to give a voice to people in poverty as well; that's critical, that we actually hear the reality."

Click here to listen to Niall Cooper speaking with Premier's Alex Williams:

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