The Church Urban Fund, which works with the poorest people in England, today welcomed some specific proposals in the chancellor’s budget, but expressed disappointment that not enough was being done to help deprived families.

Government plans to create or support up to 250,000 jobs in deprived areas is a much-needed initiative but it will have to be sustained throughout the recession to have a real impact, according to CUF.

Chief executive Tim Bissett said: “In the face of a serious downturn we can understand the chancellor’s economic difficulties. But we were hoping to see greater impetus towards ending child poverty, particularly in view of earlier government commitments.”

The CUF also welcomed measures to ensure that everyone under the age of 25, out of work for 12 months or more, will be offered a job or a place on a training scheme. But CUF said these proposals must translate into real jobs to sustain communities. 

Other proposals to kick-start housing projects; maintain winter fuel allowances, and extra pension benefits for grandparents caring for grandchildren, will also help some of England’s worst off families, according to the CUF.

Tim Bissett added: “Every year we see people falling into fuel poverty, and now more people at risk of losing their homes. The government has a duty to help the poorest in our communities who have been hardest hit by the recession.”

The Church Urban Fund was born out of the controversial Faith in the City report published in 1985 which challenged many of the assumptions of the Thatcher premiership. CUF is now planning another major appeal to help communities deal with the worst effects of the downturn.