Archbishop of Canterbury condemns benefits changes

The Archbishop of Canterbury is among 43 bishops who have written an open letter to a newspaper condemning Government plans to change the benefits system, saying it will have a “deeply disproportionate” effect on children.

The Most Rev Justin Welby has warned that “children and families will pay the price” if plans to change the system go ahead in their current form, a Sunday newspaper said.

The Most Rev Welby and the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, have backed the letter.

The newspaper said that the move would come as a blow to Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, who is attempting to steer the reforms through Parliament.

He has said the Welfare Benefits Up-rating Bill, which will cap benefit rises at 1% a year until 2016, is needed to help get spending “back under control” and create a fairer deal for taxpayers.

But the archbishop, who will be formally enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral on March 21, said the legislation would remove the protection given to families against the rising cost of living and could push 200,000 children into poverty.