The Prime Minister has suggested faith can help overcome anxiety this Easter, amid conflict abroad and cost of living uncertainty at home.
In the traditional Easter message from Downing Street, Sir Keir Starmer said Britain is at its best when people “choose community over division”, praising the role of churches in bringing their neighbourhoods together during challenging times.
He highlighted efforts in “offering comfort, bringing people together, and standing alongside those who need it most”, which he believed “reflects the very heart of Christ’s example.”
“This Easter comes at a time of real anxiety for many people. Conflicts abroad, pressures at home, and uncertainty about the future weigh heavily on families and households. In moments like these, faith offers reassurance and grounding - a reminder that we are not alone, and that hope can still take root even in difficult soil,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that “in times when some seek to divide, the Government is committed to working across faiths and differences to build a country that is more resilient, inclusive and connected”. It comes after a debate about the role of religion in public life, sparked by Conservative shadow minister Nick Timothy calling Muslim prayer in Trafalgar Square during a Ramadan event an “act of domination”.
He wished Christians “across the UK and around the world a very happy Easter filled with peace, hope and the promise of new life.”
Starmer hosted church leaders and Christian volunteers at a reception on Holy Monday, attended by Premier Christian News. Families took part in an Easter egg hunt in the White Room, which usually hosts international leaders.
Read the Prime Minister’s Easter message in full:
“Easter is a celebration of hope, new life and renewal.
“Across the country, churches and Christian communities quietly and tirelessly support families, children and neighbours - offering comfort, bringing people together, and standing alongside those who need it most. It is precisely that spirit of service which exemplifies national renewal, and reflects the very heart of Christ’s example.
“This Easter comes at a time of real anxiety for many people. Conflicts abroad, pressures at home, and uncertainty about the future weigh heavily on families and households. In moments like these, faith offers reassurance and grounding - a reminder that we are not alone, and that hope can still take root even in difficult soil.
“For generations, churches have been rooted in their neighbourhoods, working to combat poverty, fear and isolation. In times when some seek to divide, the Government is committed to working across faiths and differences to build a country that is more resilient, inclusive and connected. That is why we are keen to partner with churches, alongside other faith and belief groups, to strengthen and transform local communities through programmes such as Pride in Place and Best Start Family Hubs, among others.
“Our country is at its best when we choose community over division, kindness over indifference, and service over self‑interest. I thank everyone who gives their time through churches and Christian charities, and wish Christians across the UK and around the world a very happy Easter filled with peace, hope and the promise of new life.”