News & Stories - Diocese of Leicester

Lifting Shame, Tackling Poverty

12th March 2026

The Bill to remove the two-child limit in Universal Credit was debated in the House of Lords today (12 March 2026). The Rt Revd Martyn Snow, Lord Bishop of Leicester, addressed the House with a speech highlighting how the limit deepens both material poverty and the sense of shame experienced by families, reinforcing harmful assumptions about their responsibility and worth. He called for cross‑party collaboration on how to end the policy and address the wider structural and emotional impacts of poverty on people’s lives.

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Sharing Tradition and Tackling Division

16th December 2025

Bishop Martyn spoke to BBC East Midlands reporter, Jeremy Ball, about building bridges between cultures at Christmas.

Case for reducing child poverty must be made

5th December 2025

Writing for the Church Times this week, Bishop Martyn makes the case that Christian views on specific welfare policies vary, but a fairer society benefits everyone.

Bishop Martyn's response to the government's Child Poverty Strategy

5th December 2025

Bishop Martyn made the following statement on social media, in response to today's publication of the government's Child Poverty Strategy (5 December 2025).

Bishop Martyn Welcomes End Of Two-Child Limit

26th November 2025

A statement from the Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Martyn Snow, the Church of England’s lead bishop for child poverty issues, following the budget this afternoon (26 November, 2025).

Blue Christmas

20th November 2025

As we come to the end of November, our thoughts turn to Advent and the festivities that follow. The Christmas season is often associated with joy and celebration, but for some, it can be a very challenging time.

A Year of Growth and Community Impact in Lutterworth

12th November 2025

St Mary’s Church in Lutterworth is celebrating a remarkable year of growth, connection, and compassion through the work of the Churchgate Community Centre, which continues to be a vibrant hub for people aged five to 95.

Introducing the Diocese of Leicester’s Ministry Experience Scheme Class of 25/26

5th November 2025

We are delighted to have 12 participants enrolled on the Church of England Ministry Experience Scheme this academic year. They will be serving a range of churches across the Diocese of Leicester and engaging with a breadth of ministry including children and youth work, social action, community engagement, schools, worship and creative media.

In Lament of Homelessness

27th October 2025

A service in lament of homelessness was held at Leicester Cathedral. With Homelessness Sunday and World Homelessness Day taking place on 5 and 10 October respectively, the annual service was held on 17 October this year.

Blessing Beaumont Leys for 40 Years

16th October 2025

Christ the King Church in Beaumont Leys recently celebrated its 40th anniversary of dedication with a service led by the Rt Revd Saju Muthalaly, Bishop of Loughborough.