Dear Editor,
We have become increasingly concerned about the nature of the cuts proposed by the Government and now having to be implemented by local authorities. Our religious traditions teach that we should care for the poor, the weak and the vulnerable. Yet these are the people who are being disproportionately affected by the cuts. The Government is making it harder to claim sickness and unemployment benefits. Local authority savings, forced on them by reduced Government funding, have resulted in, for example, the closure of a brain injury rehabilitation unit in Edgware, care homes in the Wirral and a crime prevention project for young people in Cornwall and severe cutbacks in a rape crisis centre in Glasgow. These are just a few of many examples of the most vulnerable members of society being denied the support they rely on. On the other hand, the wealthiest members of our society are relatively unaffected.
The prophet Isaiah proclaims: ‘Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.’ We urge the Government to rethink its programme of cuts to ensure that those most able to withstand the effect of cuts bear the brunt of them and the poor and weak are cared for. This is what our faiths demand of a just society.
We call on all like-minded people, of all religions and none, to join in monitoring the effect of the cuts and raising awareness of how they are affecting the most vulnerable in our society.
Rabbi Dr. Margaret Jacobi Birmingham Progressive Synagogue
Rabbi Danny Rich Chief Executive, Liberal Judaism
Neville Kenyon President, the Unitarian General Assembly
Rabbi Pete Tobias Chairman, Liberal Judaism Rabbinic Conference.
Revd. Toby Howarth Interfaith Advisor to the Bishop of Birmingham
Rabbi Mark Solomon Interfaith Consultant, Liberal Judaism
Sue Amer Deanery Reader, Kidderminster
Rabbi Hillel Athias-Robles
Rabbi Charley Baginsky
Revd. Stephen Barton
Rabbi Francis Ronald Berry
Rabbi Barbara Borts Newcastle Reform Synagogue
The Rev Andy Braunston Metropolitan Community Church
Rabbi Douglas Charing Jewish Education Bureau
Rabbi Howard Cooper
Revd. Diana Cullum-Hall United Reformed Church
Rabbi Janet Darley
Revd. Bob Day United Reformed Church
Revd. Jonathan Dean United Reformed Minister, Hampstead
Geoffrey Duncan Thames North Synod, United Reformed Church
Rabbi Colin Eimer Sha’arei Tzedek, North London Reform Synagogue
Rabbi Warren Elf Southend and District Reform Synagogue
Rabbi Paul Freedman Radlett & Bushey Reform Synagogue
Rabbi Ariel J. Friedlander
Revd. Ray Gaston Inter Faith Tutor & Enabler Queens Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education
Lee Gerrard
Revd Gary P Hall
Methodist Tutor (Practical Theology) The Queens Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education
Rabbi Michael Hilton Kol Chai Hatch End Jewish Community
Rev'd Mandy Hodgson
Father Jeremy Howard Roman Catholic Chaplain
Revd Henrietta Howarth
Rabbi Richard Jacobi
Paul Keeble, BD Urban Presence
Rev Charles Kwaku-Odoi
Rabbi Professor Jonathan Magonet
Rabbi Monique Mayer Liverpool Reform Synagogue
Rabbi Maurice Michaels Senior Rabbi, SWESRS
Rabbi David Mitchell Radlett and Bushey Reform Synagogue
Revd. Peter Neale Clarence Road Baptist Church and Chairman of Southend Faith's Forum
Rabbi Jeffrey Newman
PastorWerner Oder Tuckton Christian Centre
Revd. Shaun O'Rourke
Rabbi Rebecca Qassin
Dr. David Rees Catholic lay minister
Rabbi Judith Rosen-Berry
Rabbi Sylvia Rothschild
Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah
Rabbi Dr. Michael Shire Vice Principal, Leo Baeck College
Rabbi Sheila Shulman
Ailsa Smith The Monastery, Manchester
Revd. Richard Tetlow
Rabbi Daniela Thau
Revd Andrew Wakefield
Rabbi Alexandra Wright
Rabbi Roderick Young
Rabbi Debbie Young-Somers West London Synagogue
(56 signatories)
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