When we see union jacks popping up on lamposts and hear in the news about anti migrant protests, we realise how fractured society within the UK can be.

Now a new cross party think tank and pressure group has been formed by Max Stenner, a 17-year-old college student, with the aim of bringing Chrsitian values back into politics.

Christian Democracy UK plans to provide a distinctly Christian voice in public life, rooted in faith, tradition, and the pursuit of the common good.

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Data published recently by the Charity Commission shows a continued high level of whistleblowing disclosures and the importance of good governance within charities.

 The top three reported issues in 2024 to 2025 are governance failures, financial harms, and safeguarding and protecting people - consistant with CC casework trends.

 While the overall number of issues dropped slightly, governance-related reports increased from 277 to 303. Reports concerning financial harms fell to 96 from 128 last year, and safeguarding-related disclosures fell from 104 to 84. 

 Charities operating in the education or training sector had the highest number of issues reported (267), with 'Religious activities' charities tenth on the list with 64 issues reported.

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We may employ staff within our churches and charities, but do we regularly check we are paying lay employees the correct amount?

 According to analysis of Office for National Statistics figures by the Living Wage Foundation, rates of low pay in the sector have increased from 10% to 12% this year (286,000 out of 2,364,000 jobs).

Interesting 20% of low paid roles are within the private sector compared to

 only 5% within the public sector, 

The real living wage is currently at £12.60 in the UK and £13.85 in London.  The rates are announced by the Living Wage Foundation annually in Autumn (normally October). 

The Methodist Council has been accredited as a living wage employer by the Living WageFoundation. 

See more here.