In comments released as leading figures attend the World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort of Davos this week, Dr Rowan Williams said there is “little or nothing” to suggest rising gross domestic product (GDP) eases poverty levels.

He was arguing that an increase in the value of goods and services an economy produces does not necessarily create benefits for the poorest in society.

Writing the foreword to a report by Christian Aid, of which he is a chair, Dr Rowan said: “We have stopped asking what wealth is for.

“Lacking a coherent picture of what a good human life looks like, we have filled the gap with quantified measures that tell us little or nothing about how far flesh-and-blood human beings are flourishing in all aspects of their experience.

“For Christians, in particular, this is a serious failure: we are in danger of not thinking about what is involved in our belief that we are made in God’s image, made for creative engagement in the lives of others that will build them up as they build us up. Wealth is instrumental to this, never an end in itself.”

Christian Aid’s new report warns the world’s elite that “obessing about GDP is not the answer to solving poverty”, and it also encourages unhealthy debt levels and consumerism in wealthier countries.

An advisor for the charity, Sue Richardson told Premier: “Simply…

Edwin Hawkins died on Monday 15th January from pancreatic cancer at the age of 74 and, in the week ending 27th January 2018, the song reached number one in the Billboard Magazine’s Gospel Digital Song chart.

It also reached over 173,000 streams during the same period.

Hawkins recorded Oh Happy Day in 1969 with the Edwin Hawkins Singers; his management team were planning 50th Anniversary activities.

He won a Grammy award for Best Soul Gospel Performance as well as being nominated 19 times between 1969 and 1996.

Neil Portnow, the President and CEO of The Recording Academy, said in a statement: “Edwin Hawkins was a celebrated recording artist recognized as a founder of modern gospel music”

Portnow added that: “Edwin’s contributions to the contemporary Christian genre and commitment to music celebrating religious faith will continue to inspire both artists and audiences for years to come.

“Our thoughts go out to Edwin’s family and collaborators during this difficult time.”

The song reached number two in the UK in 1969. 

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People are being urged to join the Free Conscience initiative, which is calling for a change in the law to protect conscience rights for all medical professionals.

Organisers fear current legislation risks creating a “less diverse and inclusive” healthcare system by not properly protecting staff for “unjust discrimination”.

A proposed law they hope will remedy the situation, the Conscientious Objection (Medical Activities) Bill, is being discussed during a Second Reading in the House of Lords on Friday morning.

Baroness O’Loan, who has tabled Bill, said: “No one should be coerced by the risk to their careers into violating their conscience, and it is plainly inconsistent with the principles of equality legislation to exclude whole sections of society from areas of medical employment simply because of their moral beliefs.”

Spokesperson for the Free Conscience campaign, Dr Mary Neal added: “There is a pressing need for statutory conscience rights which actually protect those who need protection.

“The current law fails to do this, so this Bill is a necessary and timely step.”

A report by MPs and peers on the All Party Parliamentary Pro-Life Group concluded in 2016 that some doctors and nurses who oppose terminating a pregnancy have encountered discrimination.

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