Church of England is heading for financial ruin over net-zero targets and £100m slavery reparations fund, report warns

Thirty-seven of the 42 dioceses are now running budget deficits, more than double the 18 recorded in 2019. Authors Canon Robin Gill and Prof John Craven say only 'ruthless' reforms can halt the slide. Diocesan staff have ballooned by roughly 80 per cent since 2005, to 2,300. Meanwhile parish clergy numbers have fallen sharply, alongside attendance, donations and ordinations.

The Church committed £190m to its 2030 net-zero goal and now admits it will miss it.

Rev Jamie Franklin and Bijan Omrani are challenging Project Spire in the High Court.

New hires include net-zero officers and racial justice leads while parish clergy dwindle.