Leaders from the Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches, together with Church Action on Poverty, have called on the chancellor to opt for fairer taxes today.
Amidst predictions of harsh public spending cuts, the Free Churches and the anti-poverty action groups are asking the Coalition Government to make a thorough revision of the taxation system a central part of the Emergency Budget, which will be delivered from midday today.
The four bodies are specifically calling for Chancellor George Osborne to make changes to ensure that taxes are shared fairly amongst all tax payers.
Under the current system, the poorest pay around 46 per cent of their income in taxes, compared to the 34 per cent of income paid by the wealthiest. The churches say that an equal sharing of this tax burden is the very least that fairness demands.
In common with Church Action on Poverty, the three denominations have what they describe as "a natural concern for the poorest and weakest in society and a long tradition of campaigning on issues of justice and fairness."
John Marsh, moderator of the general assembly of the United Reformed Church, declared: "It's clear that our country's fiscal deficit should be tackled and I have no doubt that deep cuts will be announced in Tuesday's budget. There are only two way to reduce the deficit - increase the money coming in and reduce the money going out - and we urge the chancellor to consider the moral dimensions of both."