Is UK recognition of a Palestinian State more than a symbolic gesture? by Revd David Hardman, Methodist Liaison Officer, Jerusalem On 29 July 2025, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that the UK would recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September—unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza and committed […] The post Recognising Palestine appeared first on Joint Public Issues Team.| Joint Public Issues Team
Prayer for Peace in Gaza, in the West Bank and in Israel In the days of the prophet Habakkuk, God spoke of stones crying out against oppression and violence. Centuries later, as Jesus entered Jerusalem, he told the Pharisees that if his followers were silent, the very stones would shout aloud in witness to him. […]| Joint Public Issues Team
31 August 2025 Dear Prime Minister and Chancellor, As faith leaders from across the UK, we see the spiralling consequences of child poverty within the communities we serve. We believe that this can be reversed. As Parliament returns from recess and children return to school, we urge you to seize this moment to take decisive […]| Joint Public Issues Team
We help churches to pray and work for a just society, as part of the Baptist Union, Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church.| Joint Public Issues Team
My name is Thomas, and I am a JPIT intern for 2025-6, working on the Constituency Action Network amongst other things! I grew up in the Anglican church, in a family that considered Christianity and social justice to be like cheese and biscuits; good on their own, in another league when paired together! I studied […] The post Introducing Thomas appeared first on Joint Public Issues Team.| Joint Public Issues Team
Hello! My name is Erica, and I am the new JPIT intern (communications) for 2025/26. I am really looking forward to exploring how an ecumenical organization negotiates complex public issues and learning how best to engage Christians through media to encourage and enable church mobilization and campaigning. Aged 15, I first became actively involved in […] The post Introducing Erica appeared first on Joint Public Issues Team.| Joint Public Issues Team
Why the UK needs a Jerry Maguire styled epiphany On the wall of my office, I have around 50 boards depicting my favourite films and tv shows – some are profound, some edgy, some, if I’m honest, are a bit cringy, but all of them are meaningful to me in some way. One of them […] The post Show Me the Humanity appeared first on Joint Public Issues Team.| Joint Public Issues Team
38 senior faith leaders have urged the Prime Minister and Chancellor to “act now to secure the futures of millions of children.”| Joint Public Issues Team
Levels of child poverty in the UK are rising, and set to continue rising. 4.5 million children are currently growing up without access to the essentials of life. But we believe that should and can change. “The impact of growing up in poverty is huge. It affected me physically, mentally and emotionally. Not eating enough […] The post Child poverty: tell your MP it’s time for action appeared first on Joint Public Issues Team.| Joint Public Issues Team
In recent years, thousands of Hongkongers have made the UK their home under the British National (Overseas) visa scheme, launched in 2021. Many have found welcome, friendship, and belonging within our church communities. However, proposals in the recent Immigration White Paper may affect Hongkongers who have already arrived, as well as those yet to come. […]| Joint Public Issues Team
Child poverty has steadily increased over the past 15 years, but it is clear how that trend can be reversed. It requires government and institutions to prioritise poverty reduction, and a significant financial investment in measures that will have an impact. In the autumn, the Government will publish its long-awaited Child Poverty Strategy – laying […] The post We could reduce child poverty by half a million appeared first on Joint Public Issues Team.| Joint Public Issues Team
Last month the Leader of the Opposition gave a speech about disability benefits that resurrected the discredited “Skiver v Striver” rhetoric of 15 years ago. This time it is “Makers v Takers”, a slogan which she did not make, but took from US debates in the early 2010s. This pattern of misrepresenting the poorest is […] The post Insulting the disabled…again appeared first on Joint Public Issues Team.| Joint Public Issues Team
The Church of Scotland, United Reformed Church, Methodist Church and Baptist Union have each called for change in light of the worsening treatment of people in Gaza. Each of the statements note our duty to speak out, witnesses to the blocking of food and vital supplies entering Gaza, and calls on the U.K. Government to […]| Joint Public Issues Team
On Wednesday the 23rd July we handed in a letter at the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to ask Sir Keir Starmer to stop the Rosebank oil field. This is the same day the International Court of Justice made a historic announcement that governments have a binding legal duty to protect our […]| Joint Public Issues Team
One of JPIT’s Six Hopes is for ‘a planet where our environment is renewed‘. As part of our preparation for the Climate Coalition’s Mass Lobby on the 9th of July we invited Sarah Hulme (Rural Mission and Ministry officer for the Methodist Church) and Matt Jeffrey (CEO of the Arthur Rank Centre) to reflect on the […]| Joint Public Issues Team