Vicars struggling with the cost of living crisis have submitted their first ever formal pay claim.
Church of England clergy are calling for a 9.5 per cent pay rise that would take the national minimum stipend to £29,340 and the national stipend benchmark to £31,335.
They are being backed by the Unite union, which represents more than 2,000 clergy.
Sam Maginnis, a Unite activist and member of the clergy, said: “Clergy have been working tirelessly to support their local communities through the cost of living crisis.
"But last year, many had to turn to charitable aid because they couldn’t make ends meet.
“All clergy should be paid at a level that secures relief from financial hardship, promotes personal wellbeing and enables them to effectively serve their local communities.”
The figures set by the Church of England are used by dioceses to set individual stipends for their clergy.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, who has backed calls for the increase next April, added: “The Church of England has billions in the bank and can fully afford to pay its clergy the modest increase in their stipend they are seeking.”
A Church of England committee is due to meet next week to discuss stipends.
The Archbishops’ Council recommended a five per cent increase for this financial year.
A spokesman for the Church said: “Our clergy provide unstinting spiritual, pastoral and practical support on a daily basis.
“We know they make this contribution against a backdrop of a cost of living crisis and are mindful of this.”
