Bishop warns benefit cuts will 'only bring misery'

The Right Reverend Philip North said he was concerned the cuts would "reduce people to deeper poverty"

A bishop has warned that the government's benefits cuts will send people who are already struggling "deeper into poverty" due to the lack of investment in support measures.

The Bishop of Blackburn, the Right Reverend Philip North said he acknowledged that cuts needed to be made but called for a package of support to be put in place to help those impacted by them.

"Cut, cut, cut won't do it on its own - it's got to be cut and invest," said Bishop North.

After the cuts were announced, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said it wanted to help people into work after inheriting a social security system which was "broken".

Bishop North said he acknowledged that the benefits bill was "enormous" and called on the government to invest in ways to "get people off benefits", adding that the "best way out of poverty is good, fair work".

He said many churches across Lancashire worked daily to support people who were often struggling in a variety of ways, with benefits an important mechanism for keeping people out of poverty.

He added, however, that the cuts in the chancellor Rachel Reeves' spring statement would result in a "huge increase" in the number of people facing financial difficulties.

He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "What lies behind wanting welfare reform? Is it money saving or improving people's lives?

"If all you do is slash the budget people will be reduced to absolute misery."

Bishop North said that public debate showed there might be more of an appetite for measured tax rises to address some of the issues currently facing the country, such as future investment in the NHS and more money for defence.

'Invest in people's lives'

Bishop North said Diocesan churches would continue to support people across Lancashire through initiatives such as The Spear Programme at Preston Minster.

This project supports young people aged between 16 and 24 who are not in education, employment or training to help them get into work or education.

"It's a great example of what I've been talking about – the importance of investing in people's lives and the difference doing this can make," he said.

The BBC has approached the Department for Work and Pensions for further comment.