While austerity has a devastating impact on some of the most vulnerable, the UK Government has given the Church of England £20,000,000 to restore Cathedrals around the country.
This year we’ve seen stories about the homeless people charged to sleep rough, the terminally ill being sent to work and people who were ‘fit for work’ literally dropping dead. Austerity and budget cuts have carved a deep wound into some of the most vulnerable members of society.
Among these cuts, George Osbourne’s budget outlined a cool £20,000,000 that is to be given from the taxpayer, to the Church of England to restore cathedrals around the country. Some individuals, Christians and clergy have criticised the move, pointing out that the public could better be served pushing the money where it is desperately needed. The institute that is the Church of England did not feel the same, responding quickly to the budget saying, “The Church of England has welcomed warmly the announcement in the Chancellor’s Budget today of a £20 million fund for works to cathedrals.”
Many outsiders argue that the Church of England, as one of the wealthiest land owners in the country, should not receive such handouts and the allocated cash is almost as outlandish as the royals requesting a poverty grant to heat Buckingham Palace.