Financing Establishment in England

Abstract

This chapter examines the financial relations between the Church of England and the state, putting them into some perspective by comparing them with arrangements in a number of other, mainly EU, countries. It will show in Europe a surprising diversity of systems, and a greater degree of state subvention than might be expected. In Great Britain the largest streams of state money to the churches are indirect: they flow through the tax and education systems, and the chaplaincies in the prisons, the armed forces and the National Health Service (NHS). With the possible exception of statutory requirements for the appointment of Anglican prison chaplains, the Church of England is not privileged since, in principle, the same sources of funding are available to all other religions.