Faith communities contribute at least £250 million to the Welsh economy every year, finds new report by the Evangelical Alliance

Faith communities contribute at least £250 million to the Welsh economy every year, finds new report by the Evangelical Alliance

The Faith in Wales report, produced by the Evangelical Alliance, which outlines the significant and diverse beneficial contribution that churches and faith communities across Wales are making to all aspects of society. The report revealed that faith communities are contributing to at least £250 million to the Welsh economy annually, up by 49% (after accounting for inflation) since the last report was published in 2008.

Jane Hutt, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip, who attended the launch of the report, said: “Faith is important to so many people in Wales. Our faith communities help their local areas in many ways, promoting equality, social inclusion and community cohesion. As a government we value the input from our faith communities, as part of a range of perspectives which are crucial to policy development.

“I welcome this report, which highlights our shared values of diversity, inclusivity and supporting the vulnerable.”

Faith in Wales finds that 97% of faith communities are engaged in social action initiatives and identifies that places of worship are often community hubs, serving as the heartbeat of local communities and highlights why churches are such essential parts of civic life.

Rev Canon Tim Rowlands, head of the Evangelical Alliance in Wales, said: “This report is extremely encouraging for faith communities, demonstrating their important and positive contribution to the lives of so many people. I hope it will prove a helpful incentive towards further collaboration between faith communities and policymakers, while also providing information to assist faith communities in their planning and service delivery.”


Notes to editors

To access or download a copy of the Faith in Wales report click here.

Photos can be provided on request.

Three key findings of the report include:

  • Faith communities contribute at least £250 million to the Welsh economy every year through staff, volunteers and provision of premises.
  • 97% of faith communities offer some form of social action initiative.
  • Places of worship are often community hubs, serving as the heartbeat of local communities.

Background

The original Faith in Wales report was published in 2008 which was ground-breaking in its findings regarding what faith communities contribute to Welsh society. The report provided statistical information regarding the impact that Welsh faith communities were having within our local communities, particularly in terms of the social outreach projects run, economic benefits and political engagement that these communities have. Several years on, this new report revisits the data to provide an up-to-date picture of the current role of faith communities in Welsh society, highlighting their significant contribution and their potential for even greater future impact.

Media enquiries

To arrange an interview with Rev Canon Tim Rowlands please email Klara Ferreira at: [email protected] or Rev Canon Tim Rowlands at: [email protected].

About the Evangelical Alliance

We are the Evangelical Alliance. We join together hundreds of organisations, thousands of churches and tens of thousands of individuals for the sake of the gospel. Representing our members since 1846, the Evangelical Alliance is the oldest and largest evangelical unity movement in the UK.

We love Jesus and we want everyone in the UK to be given an opportunity to know Him.

We love His church, and we will do all we can to unite evangelicals, building confidence in the gospel and speaking as a trusted voice into society to see it changed for Him.

Working across the UK, with offices in London, Cardiff, Glasgow and Belfast, our members come together from across denominations, locations, age groups and ethnicities, all sharing a passion to know Jesus and make Him known.