This Library Note provides an overview of the main arguments of the ResPublica report and provides broad context to some of the issues and themes raised in it.
Debate on 21 November: ResPublica Report 'Holistic Missions Social Action and the Church of England' (379KB PDF)
This report sets out the case for the Church of England to play an enlarged role in civil society as an enabler of holistic, inter-personalised, localised social action. This Library Note provides background reading in advance of the debate on the report. It presents an overview of the main arguments of the ResPublica report and provides broad context to some of the issues and themes raised in it. The Note sets out background to the Government’s Big Society agenda and then considers its view of faith groups, their role in civil society and their potential as providers of public services. The Note then discusses the Church of England in relation to the Big Society agenda and concludes with some further issues raised by commentators about faith groups’ role as public services providers.
Debate on 21 November: ResPublica Report 'Holistic Missions Social Action and the Church of England' (379KB PDF)
In January 2026, the government announced a new scheme to support urgent repairs and essential improvements to listed places of worship. Called the ‘Places of worship renewal fund for England’, it replaced the ‘Listed places of worship grant scheme’ which had run since 2001. This briefing provides an overview of both schemes, the government’s reasoning for the change and the reaction of stakeholders.
There have been big differences in expenditure across different forms of healthcare for a number of years. In 2024/25, spending on acute care was £74.7bn, compared to £14.5bn on primary care and £13.8bn on community services. Both the 2024 Labour Party manifesto and the subsequent 10 year health plan for England contained an emphasis on shifting towards more care being delivered in local communities rather than in acute settings, dubbed a ‘neighbourhood health service’.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as ME or chronic fatigue syndrome, is a long-term health condition that is estimated to affect over 400,000 people in the UK. It is a fluctuating condition with symptoms including fatigue, sleep problems and brain fog. In 2025 the government published its final delivery plan on ME, which aimed to improve care and support for those with the condition.
