Archbishop welcomes rise in Living Wage
A RISE in the hourly Living Wage to £9.30 across the UK and £10.75 in London means that it now further exceeds the statutory minimum wage, and has been welcomed by the Archbishop of York, Dr Sentamu. It was announced by the Living Wage Foundation on Sunday. Dr Sentamu wrote in The Guardian on Monday: “It’s simply a matter of decency: a decent day’s wage for a decent day’s work”; and he argued that the Christian faith provided “a strong moral argument” for it. Under the almost 6000 accredited Living Wage employers in the UK, more than 210,000 workers paid at this level will now receive £1.09 more per hour than employees on the statutory minimum wage, and £2.54 more if they work in London.
New CEO for Student Christian Movement
THE Revd Naomi Nixon, Learning Adviser for Ministerial Development in Coventry diocese for the past seven years, is to be the new chief executive of the Student Christian Movement (SCM), succeeding the National Coordinator, Hilary Topp, who left in February. Ms Nixon is currently working for a doctorate on the subject “What is the soul of Further Education Chaplaincy?” at The Queen’s Foundation, Birmingham. She said on Monday: “I’m in awe of its [SCM’s] history and excited about the difference we can make in lives of Christian students and in the world as we work together for justice in God’s name.”
Manchester Mayor signs the Faith and Belief charter
THE Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has signed the Charter for Faith and Belief Inclusion, making a commitment to working with cross-society organisations to promote good relations between people of different faiths. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority also signed the charter at a ceremony in Manchester Cathedral on Monday, in the presence of the Bishop of Manchester, Dr David Walker. Before the signing, Mr Burnham said: “Our ten boroughs are diverse and proud of it. Our doors and hearts are open, which is why I have placed great importance on the GMCA signing this Charter: it demonstrates our commitment to the power of faith and the power of community.” Dr Walker said: “The strength and resilience of Manchester is a tribute to how people of diverse beliefs and faiths work in harmony here.”
Dissent from Latin Grace decision in Oxford
THE Governing Body of Worcester College, Oxford, has voted “to expand the range of texts that can be said at formal dinners from the single option of the Christian grace in Latin to include texts from other religions and cultures”, a spokesperson for the college has stated, after it recently created a “multi-faith prayer room”. The change is one of the customs in formal hall that the Interim Provost, Professor Kate Tunstall, is reported as having sought to change, whereas the college’s Junior Common Room is reported as having registered a protest vote.
Correction: St Patrick’s, Dublin, is an Anglican cathedral, not as stated last week. Our apologies for this error.