---
title: "The welfare state, asylum system and rage baiting"
date: 2025-12-03T15:52:00+00:00
author: Zanna Meynell
canonical_url: "https://www.eauk.org/resources/our-resources/videos-and-podcasts/cross-section/the-welfare-state-asylum-system-and-rage-baiting"
section: Pages
---
[    ![CS Ep 111 Thumbnail A 6](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E)  ![CS Ep 111 Thumbnail A 6](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E)   

## The welfare state, asylum system and rage baiting

### Watch Cross Section here

 

 

 ](#%0A%09%09%09)

 

 

 

 

  In the penultimate episode of 2025, Peter Lynas, Alicia Edmund and Zanna Meynell discuss some of the biggest cultural and political conversations through a biblical lens.

The episode begins with a brief chat about Kemi Badenoch’s critique of Rachel Reeves and her budget. Was it fair or unnecessarily harsh? And what do we make of the controversy around the accuracy of the claims about the financial state we were in? The team discuss how this further contributes to feelings of frustration and distrust. ​‘Rage bait’ has been named the Oxford UPress word of the year – what does it mean and how does it relate to the wider conversation?

The main bulk of the episode then moves into a discussion about the welfare state. Recently, Kemi Badenoch, called it ​‘unchristian’ while citing the Bible. The team unpack what the welfare state is and whether or not it is Christian.

Immigration is a hot button issue right now. How can Christians talk about it and live as Christ has commanded us? As polarisation around the topic increases, we encourage listeners to be brave and kind in navigating these challenging conversations. As we enter advent season, let us welcome those who are different from us and keep our eyes fixed on Christ.

 

 

  #### Timestamps:

 

  [0:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGkpLYNQ7iU) – Introduction  
[1:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGkpLYNQ7iU&t=76s) – Kemi Badenoch’s budget response  
[4:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGkpLYNQ7iU&t=274s) – Rage baiting  
[7:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGkpLYNQ7iU&t=426s) – Is welfare unchristian?  
[8:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGkpLYNQ7iU&t=515s) – Understanding the UK welfare system  
[15:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGkpLYNQ7iU&t=933s) – Christian perspectives on welfare reform  
[20:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGkpLYNQ7iU&t=1212s) – Immigration and asylum policy  
[27:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGkpLYNQ7iU&t=1659s) – Community impact and Christian response  
[30:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGkpLYNQ7iU&t=1840s) – Advent season

##   

 

 

  #### Further reading:

 

  [Six out of ten evangelical Christians support removing two-child benefit cap — Evangelical Alliance](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/six-out-of-ten-evangelical-christians-support-removing-two-child-benefit-cap)

[Who is my neighbour? The hermeneutic of love — Evangelical Alliance](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/who-is-my-neighbour-the-hermeneutic-of-love)

[Joining the dots between foodbanks and faith sharing — Evangelical Alliance](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/joining-the-dots-between-foodbanks-and-faith-sharing)

[Keir Starmer’s first year in office as prime minister: a tale of two halves — Evangelical Alliance](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/keir-starmers-first-year-in-office-as-prime-minister-a-tale-of-two-halves)