Methodists and Quakers have criticised government plans for minimum pricing of alcoholic drinks, insisting they will do little to tackle alcohol-related problems.

The Methodist Council has discussed a damning new report on poverty, which claims that there are an estimated 13.5 million people living in poverty in the UK.

A vote on new social housing measures was taken two hours before the end of the consultation period. Church groups now fear their submissions will be ignored.

The political journalist and comentator Will Hutton will give the keynote address at a day conference hosted by the Joint Public Issues Team on 22 January 2011.