Preserve the past. Protect the future.

The ongoing discussion around the value of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme has been added to by a recent survey undertaken for the Church of England. It covers a massive amount of data but shows 59% of those surveyed thought that the Government should help with the costs of repairing and maintaining historic churches.  

The current VAT relief scheme for listed places of worship (covering all listed places of worship including synagogues, mosques, churches and temples) was limited earlier this year to a £25,000 cap per project and only extended to March 2026. With the budget looming, concern has been expressed that the scheme might not be continued, with the implication that many places of worship would be at risk.  

Nearly 45% of Grade I listed buildings are churches. Without VAT relief, repair costs rise by 20%, making urgent works unaffordable. Over 976 places of worship are already on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register – and that number could soar.

Places of worship are increasing important as community hubs, hosting foodbanks, warm spaces, debt advice, and social activities, and are often the only community building left. If buildings close, these lifelines vanish. The estimated total social and economic value of UK church buildings is at least £12.4 billion annually. This would reduce significantly if these places were forced to close because they couldn't be repaired or upgraded. Given the central role of faith in the Civil Society Covenant, I would hope the Government would want to continue to support the social, sacred and economic value these buildings have to our communities by extending the scheme into the future.