Local churches seeking small grants, for example, are much more likely to work comfortably with the Salvation Army or Shaftesbury Society. Both are professional Christian charities with high accountability standards and yet are also able to stand up to the demands of government funders. The Conservative party welcomes the FaithWorks campaign of Oasis Trust and its call for more recognition of the good work that Christian people do across Britain. Although Britain's social security system ensures that needy people in our own country are saved from material hardship this cannot be the test of a truly compassionate society. The love of a family and the care of a neighbour are often the greatest sources of comfort.
Social projects run by churches stand at the heart of compassionate Britain.
I hope the timely Faithworks campaign will help to highlight the potential of faith-based social action and alert policymakers to the restrictions that are sometimes imposed upon it. Promotion of marriage will be the cornerstone of family policy 2. Conservatives will end discrimination against Christian broadcasters like Premier and UCB 3. Church-based welfare programmes will be encouraged as the best hope for many disadvantaged communities 4. Faith communities will be given new opportunities to run schools 5.