The Triennium Funding Working Group (TFWG) publishes Church of England central funding decisions for the next 3 years

On Monday 9th June the TFWG published detailed figures on central funding decisions for the next 3 years, 2026-2028, with illustrative figures for 9 years.

Please remember that the majority of the work of the Church of England across the country is paid for through the generosity of those in local congregations. Donations to parish share, upkeep of church buildings and ongoing costs such as utilities is forecast to amount to £9 billion over the next 9 years.

The announcement states “Overall, the Church Commissioners and Archbishops’ Council have set indicative distributions of £4.6 billion in support of the work of the Church over nine years to support the Church’s Vision and Strategy to enable the flourishing of our parishes and worshipping communities across the whole country and help the church to become younger and more diverse, and safer.”

As a significant contribution to the needs of parish ministry there will be a 10.7% increase in the minimum stipend and £10 million pa for retired clergy housing. A separate announcement has been made about increasing clergy pensions.

Early in the TFWG process Save The Parish was invited to make a submission of our priorities – an important step in the recognition of STP as a force for good in the Church. The most significant contribution to parishes in poorer communities comes through Lowest Income Communities Funding (LInC). We requested an increase of 25% in LInC, having been campaigning for this since our earliest days. The new Church of England Spending Plans have will increase this from £91 million over the last 3 years, to £134 million over the next 3 years – a very welcome increase of 47% in cash terms.

But there is a sting in the tail. Until now LInC has been allocated to poorer parishes on a formula basis reflecting a Government local deprivation index. The General Synod were informed in February that from now dioceses will need to explain how LInC ‘aligns with local mission plans’. We are seeking clarity on this point to ensure there is no barrier to LInC money flowing automatically to qualifying parishes.

If you are a PCC Treasurer or a member of your Diocesan Synod, please remain alert from 2026 in checking and confirming that this money is getting to parishes without impediment. (Some dioceses have merely used this money to offset their deficits.) If you are not a member of your Diocesan Synod, this is an example of how you can engage with your diocese to see fair play. Please consider standing for election to your Deanery Synod and from there the Diocesan Synod.

A full tabulation of the Triennium Spending Plans can be seen here.

Points to note:

• The amount of LInC is only 1/3rd of the total ‘Mission and Ministry Investment’ (£133.5m out of £416.4m). The top spending priority of the Church Commissioners is mandated to be for poorer parishes, and yet discretionary spending on ‘projects’ is about double the amount going straight to parishes via LInC.
• It is less that the amount allocated to ‘Bishops and Archbishops’ Ministry’ (£133.5m vs £146.3m, which does not look good.)
• There is additional time limited support for dioceses of £100m over the next three years to help with immediate financial pressures. This tapers during the following years. Keep an eye on where this money is going and what your diocese is spending it on.