2nd May 2026

According to an analysis by Oxfam released yesterday, the 1,500 highest-paid corporate executives around the world received an average of around $8.4 million last year, amounting to an 11% increase in executive pay compared with 2024 and a 54% rise compared with 2019.  However, for all other workers their inflation-adjusted average income was just $17,156 last year, 0.5% higher than in 2024, but 12% lower than in 2019. Patricia Stottlemyer, labour rights policy lead for Oxfam America, told news broadcaster CNBC, "What the data shows is that we cannot have a conversation about the affordability crisis without talking about extreme inequality, and in particular the extreme inequality between CEO pay and worker pay." Oxfam's findings are supported by further independent research by Fast Company,  published in January 2026.  This also showed a widening gap between executive remuneration and worker earnings with CEO pay growth consistently outpacing wage increases for average employees. 

You can find out more here.

Loving God, you are the God of justice and truth.  We bring to you our concerns for the injustices in income distribution across the globe. We are concerned so many struggle to survive, even though they have work, while a few high earners continue to take a larger and larger share of the benefits of the world economy.  We pray that work is justly rewarded and that working people are protected from exploitation.  Guide those in positions of authority and power to act with integrity and humanity to ensure there is economic as well as social justice. May we not simply seek to support all who are struggling financially but work to change an economic paradigm that increasingly benefits high income earners more than low income workers.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

The first malaria treatment for babies has been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).  In 2024, there were 610,000 deaths from malaria, about three quarters were under-fives in Africa. Until now infant children have been treated with medication designed for older children, which the WHS says, increases the risk of dosing errors, side effects and toxicity. The new drug, Coartem Baby, will fill the treatment gap.  It can be be used safely to treat infants as small as 2kg (4.4lb), and comes as sweet cherry-flavoured tablets that can be dissolved into liquids, including breast milk. Dr Martin Fitchet, chief executive of Medicines for Malaria Venture  (MMV), said: “For too long, new-borns and young infants with malaria have fallen through the cracks because existing treatments were not designed with them in mind.” He said the WHO ruling was “a major public-health milestone”. 

Almighty, eternal and loving God,

all hearts are open to you,

you know all our desires,

no secrets are hidden from you.

We thank you for life

and for all that sustains our life on earth.

We thank you for all the blessing you give.

We thank you for families and friends.

We thank you for water and food.

We thank you for home.

Above all things we thank you

for the redemption of the world

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We thank you that we may share in his resurrection

and live forever in your love.

We thank you for the Holy Spirit

who gives us strength when we are weak.

provides a light upon our path.

and give us guidance when we have decisions to make.

All praise, glory, honour, blessing, and majesty

be to you Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

one eternal God.

Amen.