This morning (15 December 2013) the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) handed down judgements in four cases where allegations have been made of unlawful discrimination against Christians.

As the distorted language of 'shirkers and strivers' becomes ever more embedded in governing culture, it is definitely worth having a look at the new book Poverty and Insecurity: Life in low-pay, no-pay Britain (Studies in Poverty, Inequality and Social Exclusion), by Tracy Shildrick, Robert MacDonald, Colin Scott Webster and Kayleigh Garthwaite. It was published by Policy Press on 19 December 2012.

Ekklesia's staff, associates and contributors extend warm New Year greetings to all who have read, engaged with and supported us in 2012.

Should the welfare system be reformed? Is the tax credit system flawed? Is a universal credit a good idea in principle? The answer to all these questions is 'yes'. But if the question is about whether the government is tackling these issues in the correct way, the answer is 'no'. A huge change of direction is required.

Though the job he has in hand is widely regarded as impossible, the Archbishop of Canterbury-elect, Justin Welby, has done more than enough already to suggest that he has the capacity to nudge the Church of England through the decidedly choppy waters of change.

Yesterday evening, an ever expanding group of sick and disabled people, carers and families launched an e-petition demanding an independent, cumulative review of the impact of changes to the welfare and benefits system.

Ruth Lister, who is a peer, emeritus professor of social policy at Loughborough University and chair of the Compass management committee, has written a fine, short piece for the Guardian on benefits and uprating.

There has been much comment over the confusion created by the government's surprise announcement this week that the established Church of England and the non-established Church in Wales will be legally barred from conducting same-sex marriage ceremonies when the law is changed to allow civic and other religious bodies to do so in those countries.

Richard Exell, the TUC’s Senior Policy Officer covering social security, tax credits and labour market issues, wrote a good summary piece for the organisation's group ToUChstone blog (http://touchstoneblog.org.uk/) on 3 December 2012, the 20th International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The London book launch of a new multi-author volume, 'Religion and the News' takes place with a Faith and Public Life seminar at Westminster Abbey this lunchtime (Thursday 6 December 2012).