Britain's main Free Churches are joining with charities, unions and campaign groups to lobby for a fairer deal for the country's 3.5 million workers.

The United Reformed Church has contacted its leaders and congregations, reminding them of its long standing opposition to extreme right-wing and racist political parties, and urging them to disavow parties that support racial discrimination.

In her Christmas message, the Rev Roberta Rominger, General Secretary of the United Reformed Church, has talked of the harsh realities and disappointments of life in 2009 and linked them to the abiding promise of the Christmas story.

As the government prepares for its Pre-Budget Report today, three of the UK’s largest Churches have called for priority to be given to job security and protection for the poor. They have criticised suggestions of public sector job cuts.