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This week we've revealed the findings of a lengthy piece of research on the way the government handled a publicly-funded grant for cathedral repairs. We've found
that the government's cosy relationship with the Church of England meant it failed taxpayers before, during and after handing the church £40m worth of public
money.
The government didn't require the church to make a business case beforehand. It let the church's archbishops' council administer the fund, creating a conflict of
interests. It failed to press the church to justify its expenditure or provide independent verification that it was being reported accurately. And this meant the
government put inaccurate, unverified figures on the parliamentary record.
This is a stark reminder of how the C of E's cosy relationship with the state allows it to abuse its position at the public's expense.
Elsewhere this week we're pressing the government to repeal the religious exemption to animal welfare law. It's also emerged that schools are not always informing
parents that non-stun halal is being supplied in their children's schools. This follows our recent revelation that at least 17 councils across the UK are supplying
non-stun halal meat to schools.
And we'd like to remind our members that our AGM takes place tomorrow at Conway Hall in London. Registration opens at 1:00pm, and the meeting begins at 1:30pm.
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