Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme: £25,000 Cap

03 Apr

Question

The Question session in the House of Commons revolved around the impact of the £25,000 cap on the listed places of worship grant scheme, with particular focus on its effect on church repairs across the UK. The discussion was prompted by Mr. Calvin Bailey's inquiry regarding the Church Commissioners' assessment of this cap. Significant contributions came from various representatives highlighting the real-world implications of the ceiling on funding.

20% additional burden

Due to VAT reimbursement issues, congregations need to secure additional funds, an example cited was for a Grade I listed building repair.

Outcome

Following the discussion, it was evident that while the concern about the cap's restrictions on funding major repairs was acknowledged, a concrete solution was not immediately presented. However, Marsha De Cordova committed to liaising further with the Government and providing additional information about alternative grants available.

Key Contributions

Mr Calvin BaileyMP

Labour

Queried the impact of the £25,000 cap on the listed places of worship grant scheme on essential church repairs.

Marsha De CordovaMP

Labour

Reported survey findings showing that the grant cap affects 200 projects, including cathedrals in deprived areas.

Original Transcript

Mr Calvin Bailey

Leyton and Wanstead

Lab

Question

UIN: 903591

8. What assessment the Church Commissioners have made of the potential impact of the £25,000 cap in the listed places of worship grant scheme on church repairs.

The Second Church Estates Commissioner

Marsha De Cordova

10:30

A survey carried out by the Church Commissioners found that at least 200 projects have been identified as likely to be affected by the cap on claims, including cathedrals and many parish churches in areas of considerable deprivation.

Mr Bailey

10:30

I thank my hon. Friend for her reply. Christ Church in Wanstead in my constituency is a wonderful community hub in a beautiful building, which sadly needs urgent repair to prevent dangerous stones falling from the belltower.

In total, the repairs cost around £2 million, but grant funding and donations for a project of that scale are very challenging to find—a challenge that will be increased by the cap and the reimbursement of VAT. Has my hon.

Friend had conversations with the Government about the impact of the cap, and uncertainty over the scheme in future years, on such large-scale essential repair projects?

Marsha De Cordova

As outlined in my earlier responses to questions on a similar issue, I have met the Secretary of State and put across those concerns.

I commend the congregation of Christ Church in Wanstead for all their work in the community, providing music festivals, youth groups, bereavement support and so, so much more.

Relieving the burden of finding an extra 20% to repair the grade I listed building would mean more time that could be spent on work with vulnerable communities. I will commit to writing to my hon. Friend with information about grants that may be available.

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