Churches to provide office space

Cathedrals and churches across England and Wales are being encouraged to combat unemployment by offering unused office space to small businesses.

The scheme hopes to create hundreds of jobs across the country by allowing start-up businesses the chance to expand by renting cheap office space in Catholic and Anglican cathedrals and churches.

The Church of England's Portsmouth Cathedral is launching the Cathedral Innovation Movement by offering £50,000 worth of office space at a peppercorn rent for the next three years to 14 new start-up businesses. 

St Joseph and St Edmund's Catholic Church in Southampton has also offered office space to a foundation which supports small businesses and helps them to manage their debts.