The study finds that religious groups provide valuable social aid

Religious groups provide millions of pounds worth of social services, with little recognition from local authorities, according to new report.

A study carried out in the east of England found faith communities attached to Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Sikh places of worship have an "extensive" social impact on both the faithful and others in their communities.

The research, by the Faith in Action research group, looked at 12 communities in Luton, Bedfordshire and Peterborough in Cambridgeshire.

Zo� Morris, of the faculty of social and political sciences at Cambridge University, who headed the research, said she was surprised by the amount of community activity undertaken by the groups.

She said: "The social impact that the communities are making is extensive, and covers everything from lunch clubs and childcare to bereavement counselling and financial advice.

Diversity of services

"Without them, many of the activities and opportunities would simply not exist, or would be very expensive to provide through statutory agencies."

The prime minister's envoy to the faith communities, former Foreign Office Minister John Battle MP, said: "The report is an important assessment of the range of services being provided by faith groups in the east of England.

"It demonstrates the diversity of services being offered, and how each is appreciated and valued by the community."

The Bishop of St Albans, the Right Reverend Christopher Herbert, said: "If the taxpayer had to meet the cost of these important services being provided day in, day out, across hundreds of local communities, the cost could run into many millions of pounds."

The research was carried out for the East of England Faiths Leadership Conference and was supported by the East of England Churches Network, the East of England Development Agency and the government office for the region.