Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has raised concerns about housing, the NHS and poverty in a letter to Anglicans ahead of next month's general election.

He asks voters to consider their Christian heritage and "obligations to future generations" and calls on politicians to "renew and re-imagine" the nation's values.

The three-page letter, which is also signed by Archbishop of York John Sentamu, talks of solutions to home-building, the NHS and the government's Brexit negotiations.

The letter says the election "is being contested against the backdrop of deep and profound questions of identity.

"Opportunities to renew and re-imagine our shared values as a country and a United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland only come around every few generations...

They add: "If our shared British values are to carry the weight of where we now stand and the challenges ahead of us, they must have at their core, cohesion, courage and stability."

The letter refers to "education for all, the need for urgent and serious solutions to our housing challenges, the importance of creating communities as well as buildings, and a confident and flourishing health service that gives support to all - especially the vulnerable - not least at the beginning and end of life."

It is not the first time that Mr Welby has made a foray into politics.

Before the 2015 general election, he was criticised for a letter construed to be critical of Conservative policy.

The Archbishop's latest message also highlights concerns over the economy and "dangers of an economy over-reliant on debt, which risks crushing those who take on too much."

They call for a generous and hospitable welcome to refugees and migrants but also warn against being "deaf to the legitimate concerns" about the scale of migration into some communities.

They also single out the importance of standing up for those suffering persecution on grounds of faith around the world.

Read the letter in full here