Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

People on Low Incomes in Rural Communities

Thursday 3 July 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chris Vince asked about support for families in rural Harlow, highlighting local churches' initiatives like Sunday schools, care home support, and food bank partnerships.
  • David Mundell inquired about the impact of church closures on rural communities' access to worship and community services.
  • The response noted the value of rural communities and mentioned projects to keep places of worship as hubs for community services such as food banks and mother and baby groups.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Vince Labour (Co-op) Harlow
Children & Families Religion & Faith
Context

In Harlow, 30% of children are living in poverty according to research by Loughborough University and the End Child Poverty coalition. Many families in rural areas turn to local places of worship for support.

Question

In the local authority of Harlow, 30% of children live in poverty. In rural areas such as Sheering and Nazeing, many families rely on local places of worship for help. Can my hon. Friend say more about what the Church is doing to support these struggling families?

Answer from Marsha De Cordova (The Second Church Estates Commissioner)

In Harlow, St Mary Magdalene church runs a Sunday school and mothers’ union. St Stephen’s church supports local care homes and operates a parent and toddler group. Additionally, St Paul’s and St Mary’s churches partner with the local food bank and run a Bounty club offering low-cost healthy food.

Answered
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Q2 David Mundell Con Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Community Security Religion & Faith
Context

Church closures in both England and Scotland raise concerns about the accessibility of community support for people living in rural areas.

Question

With many churches closing in rural areas, are the commissioners concerned that people living in these areas might lose access to worship or community services?

Answer from Marsha De Cordova (The Second Church Estates Commissioner)

We value all rural communities, which is why we have various projects to ensure places of worship remain community hubs offering support such as food banks or mother and baby groups.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address specific concern about closures directly impacting access to services.

How: Values All Rural Communities, Various Projects

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