Blogs

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has” I’ve been reflecting on this famous though underrated quote from anthropologist Margaret Mead in regard to recent events, including the General Election. One of the weaknesses in our embryonic democracy is that we seek to elect people to represent us but often let them get on with it until we are called to express our choices at the next round of voting. Most of us do not seem to engage with politicians for much of the time and effectively do not take our own...

After observing the unedifying General Election campaign nationally and being involved in several local Hustings, I have to honestly say I am feeling very uninspired and pretty low about the overall state of English politics. In my view, we face an unprecedented global ecological challenge and a menacing destabilisation of democracy. Together these two call for an intense campaign to de-carbonise as soon as possible on the one hand, and a profound and radical overhaul of our political and economic systems and structures on the other. This means we need to set out detailed programmes to...

Are there any connections between Easter and Ecology? Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth, was a key participant in a new Jewish reform movement. In the face of the political oppression, religious corruption and economic exploitation of his day, his short ministry focussed on the release of those with heavy burdens, the freeing of the stigmatised and the healing of brokenness. By including the excluded, breaking social barriers and sharing acts of human kindness, he reminded those around him of God’s call to Israel to be a people of compassion and mercy, justice and peace. He also...

Pensions & Savings

Business owners will be disappointed that the Chancellor has reduced the amount they can save for retirement over their lifetime from £1.25m to £1m. Only a few years ago, the lifetime limit was £1.8m - so this represents a massive reduction in the ability to save for retirement. The good news is that the annual allowance has not reduced as was feared, so the opportunity still exists to save a significant sum this year. Business owners may want to use this year’s allowance and any unused allowance for the last three years prior to the year end, rather than...