Church of England vicars are demanding an increase in pensions amid claims that many face an impoverished old age, with some forced to rely on food banks or move in with adult children.

Almost 2,000 C of E clergy have joined an action group on Facebook in the past few weeks and 700 signed a letter to the Church Times calling for “urgent and decisive action”.

The Rev Marcus Gibbs, the vicar of the Ascension church in Balham, south London, and lead signatory, told the Guardian: “This is a justice issue, and a moral and Christian imperative to ensure that people who have dedicated their lives to the church can have a dignified retirement.”

The action group is demanding the C of E reverses a 2011 cut in pensions that meant retiring vicars now get half the minimum clergy stipend (salary) of £28,680 rather than two-thirds. Most working clergy are also provided with housing, which they lose when they retire.

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