Church of England vicars demand pay rise to cope with cost of living crisis

C of E clergy and lay staff represented by Unite ask for 9.5% increase in first ever claim

Church of England vicars have become the latest group of workers to demand a pay rise in the face of the cost of living crisis, as Unite's general secretary, Sharon Graham, claimed they were among the working poor".

More than 2,000 clergy and lay staff represented by the union have submitted their first ever official pay claim, asking for a 9.5% rise in the annual stipend, which stands at 26,794.