Church of England is 'heading for financial disaster' over net-zero and slavery reparations, a report warns

Thirty-seven of the 42 dioceses are now running budget deficits, more than double the 18 recorded in 2019. Canon Robin Gill and Professor John Craven brand the Church's 'extravagant' projects 'unrealistic' and 'deeply depressing'. Their report singles out Project Spire, a £100m fund to atone for slave-trade links, and £190m committed to green upgrades. Only 'ruthless' reform can stem the crisis, they argue.

Diocesan staff have swelled by roughly 80 per cent since 2005, from 1,300 to 2,300.

The authors want dioceses cut and the number of diocesan bishops reduced to 30.