As far as we know, the possibility of an eventual Redress Scheme was first discussed in a meeting between Bishop Paul Butler and MACSAS (Phil Johnson, Jo Kind and Alana Lawrence) in 2014. It was also raised at a meeting as a possibility with survivor Gilo by Bishop Paul Butler in 2014 when he reported in the presence of witnesses. It was later mentioned briefly by Bishop Nigel Stock (then Bishop at Lambeth) in a formal meeting with Gilo and Ian Elliott and others in July 2016. The idea was possibly mooted by senior bishops elsewhere with others. It has taken at least a decade to reach final agreement at Synod.
At this week’s July 2025 the Redress Scheme was finally passed in a counted vote by Houses;
Bishops 26-0
Clergy 129-1 (with one recorded abstention)
Laity 140-0
The redress legislation was approved in two parts:
The passing of the Measure establishes the legal underpinning for the scheme, including eligibility criteria, types of abuse covered, and provisions for Church contributions and financial safeguards; and the Rules detail the operational procedures, including application processes, assessment criteria, appeals mechanisms, and data protection protocols.
The Measure was approved by General Synod with an overwhelming majority, following approval of an amendment brought by Bishop Julie Conalty (Chester) to ensure financial awards from the Interim Support Scheme (ISS) would not offset future financial awards made through the redress scheme.
1.11.42ff
https://www.youtube.com/live/
What happens next?
A public website will open from Friday (18th July), enabling prospective applicants to register their interest and receive advance notification of the scheme’s official opening date once it is known. Prospective applicants can register their interest by visiting from Friday: www.redresscofe.org. Once the scheme is open and operating, survivors will be able to apply at this same dedicated website.
House of Survivors encourages applicants to seek the assistance of a solicitor/advocate. Our understanding is that legal firms/advocates can receive payment of up to £5000 for 20hrs max on a case. This payment will not come out of an applicant’s redress award but will be paid separately by the Church. We also encourage applicants to seek support during the process of form-filling which is likely to be triggering. It’s important that we all look after ourselves through this.
We have collated prominent articles on the redress scheme below. The article links are listed in chronological order, to follow the timeline from the first (top) to last (bottom).
Church of England’s £200million compensation scheme will pay out victims of historic sex abuse by bishops and clergy
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8774635/Church-Englands-200million-compensation-scheme-pay-victims-historic-sex-abuse.html
Sept 26, 2020
Daily Mail
Church of England approves compensation for sexual abuse survivors
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/sep/28/church-of-england-approves-compensation-for-sexual-abuse-survivors
Sept 28, 2020
Guardian
Towards a Theology of Redress
https://survivingchurch.org/2020/10/16/towards-a-theology-of-redress/
Oct 16, 2020
Surviving Church
What do we mean by Redress?
https://survivingchurch.org/2020/10/19/what-do-we-mean-by-redress/
Oct 19, 2020
Surviving Church
BLM and Redress Schemes
https://survivingchurch.org/2020/11/20/blm-and-redress-schemes/
Nov 20, 2020
Surviving Church
Interim Support Scheme and Redress Scheme
https://survivingchurch.org/2021/07/25/interim-support-scheme-redress-scheme/
July 25, 2021
Surviving Church
Redress project update December 2022
https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/redress-scheme/redress-project-update-december-2022
Dec 19, 2022
Church of England
Church of England national Redress Scheme
https://www.churchofengland.org/media/press-releases/church-england-national-redress-scheme
June 20, 2023
Church of England
Church’s redress scheme for survivors ‘to start next year’ with £150m from Commissioners
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/23-june/news/uk/church-s-redress-scheme-for-survivors-to-start-next-year-with-150m-from-commissioners
June 20, 2023
Church Times
Church of England to set up £150m fund for victims of church-related abuse
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/church-of-england-church-commissioners-general-synod-church-in-wales-england-b2361051.html
June 20, 2023
Independent
Church of England says abuse compensation scheme ‘broadest yet’
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65961083.amp
June 20, 2023
BBC
No limit on what CofE will spend on abuse redress scheme says Bishop
https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/no-limit-on-what-cofe-will-spend-on-abuse-redress-scheme-says-bishop1
June 21, 2023
Premier Christian News
General Synod Digest: Bishop Mountstephen tells Synod that grace and law will work together in Redress Scheme
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/14-july/news/uk/general-synod-digest-bishop-mounstephen-tells-synod-that-grace-and-law-will-work-together-in-redress-scheme
July 14, 2023
Church Times
Church of England abuse – proper redress and accountability needed for survivors
https://www.leighday.co.uk/news/blog/2023-blogs/church-of-england-abuse-proper-redress-and-accountability-needed-for-survivors/
Sept 18, 2023
Leigh Day blog
Synod approves next step for national redress scheme
https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/safeguarding-news-releases/synod-approves-next-steps-national-redress-scheme
Nov 14, 2023
Church of England
PCCs may have to foot the bill for abuse claims, Synod members warn
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/17-november/news/uk/pccs-may-have-to-foot-bill-for-abuse-claims-synod-members-warn
Nov 14, 2023
Church Times
Church of England takes next step towards Redress for abuse victims
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/church-of-england-b2446986.html
Nov 14, 2023
Independent
Church of England Synod approves next steps for national redress scheme
https://anglican.ink/2023/11/14/church-of-england-synod-approves-next-steps-for-national-redress-scheme/
Nov 14, 2023
Anglican Ink
General Synod Digest: Survivor Redress Scheme pushed forward with reservations
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/24-november/news/uk/general-synod-digest-survivor-redress-scheme-pushed-forward-with-reservations
Nov 24, 2023
Church Times
Ecclesiastical Insurance will not take part in redress scheme for victims of church-related abuse
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2024/16-february/news/uk/ecclesiastical-insurance-will-not-take-part-in-redress-scheme-for-victims-of-church-related-abuse
Feb 16, 2024
Church Times
Church of England announces administrator of its national redress scheme
https://www.churchofengland.org/media/press-releases/church-england-announces-administrator-its-national-redress-scheme
March 20, 2024
Church of England
Survivors could be paid £660,000 in C of E’s four-stage redress scheme
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2024/26-april/news/uk/survivors-could-be-paid-660-000-in-c-of-e-s-four-stage-redress-scheme
April 25, 2024
Church Times
National Redress Scheme: Proposed financial award framework and approach to funding
https://anglican.ink/2024/04/26/national-redress-scheme-proposed-financial-award-framework-and-approach-to-funding/
April 26, 2024
Anglican Ink
Redress Scheme Update
https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/safeguarding-news-releases/redress-scheme-update
July 9, 2024
Church of England
General Synod digest: Redress Scheme for survivors passes revision stage
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2024/12-july/news/uk/general-synod-digest-redress-scheme-for-survivors-passes-revision-stage
July 12, 2024
Church Times
Church caves in to pressure over compensation for abuse survivors
July 2025, Telegraph
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Church’s redress scheme for abuse survivors given final Synod approval
July 2025, Church Times
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General Synod agrees to £150m compensations scheme for victims and survivors of church abuse
July 2025, ITV news
https://www.itv.com/watch/
General Synod approves redress scheme for survivors of Church-related abuse
July 2025, Anglican Ink
https://anglican.ink/2025/07/
Church of England General Synod approves £150 million redress scheme for abuse victims
July 2025, Anglican Ink
https://anglican.ink/2025/07/
Day 4 at Synod: voting about voting and Abuse Redress
July 2025, Anglican Futures
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Church of England approves multi-million pound abuse redress scheme
July 2025 Christian Today
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