Faith in the Future Robert Beard

Faith in the Future Robert Beard  18 Arnside Road SHEFFIELD S8 0UX  +(0) 

What the minister said: “A huge difference day-in and day-out, to every single neighbourhood in the country… “Not been sufficiently recognised by central Government… “Build on the huge amount of experience faith groups have in getting out into the community.”

What the minister said: “Faith gives rise to kindnesses and other civic contributions. “Faith shapes beliefs, behaviour and a sense of purpose… “Government should be helping people of faith express themselves in this way.”

What the minister said: “A vital contribution to national life: “Guiding the moral outlook of many, inspiring… public service, “Providing support to those in need. “Experience, volunteers and connections that can put them at the heart of their neighbourhood.”

Faiths offer... essential services infrastructure intelligence, experience, expertise extended reach democratic renewal economic contribution constructive criticism and challenge

Faiths offer... Faith contribution to local economy: 5000 social action projects volunteers: £60.6 million - £64.6 million a year premises: £574,755 - £811,472 a year overall contribution: £90.7 million - £94.9 million a year

Local Enterprise Partnerships No mention of faith communities or faith-based organisations in proposals invitation ‘Not sufficiently recognised by government...’? ‘Government helping people of faith...’? ‘A vital contribution to national life...’?

right to buy offer right to challenge does not give right to deliver procurement law favours large organisations protection for valued local services? longer than 6 months to bid emergency appeal process Localism Bill – can it deliver?

Real power for communities

nef report Cutting it: The ‘Big Society’ and the new austerity “The doors are wide open for big global corporations… to take over state functions…” “How much room will the big corporates leave for… small voluntary organisations…?”

Impact of s o pending cuts VCS organisations being stretched beyond capacity –speed f cuts –front-loading of cuts –implementation of cuts essential services facing real and immediate threat

Because it’s there! Big Society Bank funded from ‘dormant’ accounts to capitalise and encourage loans to CSOs £200 million loans to launch Big Society Bank BSB loans for existing or only for new groups? too costly for small CSOs?

National Citizen Service 1,000 signed up so far NCS facebook page 11,000 places in ,000 places in , year-olds unemployed in Feb 2011

Government funding £5 million for CUF Near Neighbours project –bring people together in diverse communities –build relationships –collaborate for community improvement £5,000 max. grant bid for funding through local parish Church starting in M62 corridor, Leicester, East London, Birmingham

“The opposite of faith is…

“The opposite of faith is …the market.” Neil Jameson, Citizens UK

Cost of production < price at sale Serve food or service debt? Servants of God or servants of market?

The market – like God? The market – unlike God? We “cannot serve God and Mammon.” Places for all in God’s economy Please give me time and I will repay in full…

Unemployment at 2.53 million in January 965, year olds “The price of this financial crisis is being borne by people who absolutely did not cause it.” Mervyn King Governor of the Bank of England