THE next Bishop of Manchester is to be the Bishop of Dudley, the Rt Revd David Walker (above), it was announced on Wednesday. He will succeed the Rt Revd Nigel McCulloch, who retired earlier this year.

Bishop Walker, who is 56, was born and bred in Manchester. He has been Bishop of Dudley in Worcester diocese since 2000.

Bishop Walker has been a critic of the Coalition Government's welfare policies. Earlier this year he criticised politicians for "scapegoating" migrants ( News, 28 March) and has criticised the Government's benefits reforms ( News, 8 March). He has served on the board of the National Housing Federation and is a former chairman of South Yorkshire Housing Association.

A spokesman for Manchester diocese said on Wednesday that four candidates were interviewed for the post, and that Bishop Walker "emerged as the ideal choice to be the next Bishop of Manchester".

Bishop Walker said on Wednesday: "I'm delighted that I will now have the opportunity to give something back to the place that gave me my start in life. I am looking forward to working with the people and communities of what is one of the most richly diverse places in the world."

Speaking on Wednesday, the Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge, described Bishop Walker as "a person of great gifts, immense wisdom, and deep personal holiness".

A statement from Manchester diocese about Bishop Walker's appointment can be read here. The official announcement from Downing Street can be read here.