Justin Welby, the Bishop of Durham, described unemployment as a “tragedy” with parallels to losses on the battlefield, which wears down “all but the bravest and toughest”. His comments come amid controversy in some quarters over George Osborne’s depiction of some benefit claimants as people lying in bed while their “striver” neighbours go to work.

He also issued a series of stinging criticisms of Government policy, accusing it of giving the North East of England a “grossly unequal” share of some building funds in an 'out of sight out of mind' attitude. The comments came in highly unusual form for a bishop – as he took over as a newspaper editor for the day. Bishop Welby, who becomes Archbishop next month, spent the day guest editing the Northern Echo, which is based in his Durham diocese, focusing on efforts to combat unemployment.

Pray: for all those who face the devastating effects of unemployment. (Ecc.3:13)

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