Currently, this important source of funding for historic churches is only confirmed until 31st March 2025, and is at risk of being brought to an end. The College of Bishops have been briefed about this, and there is a concerted campaign to advocate for the Scheme’s continuation, including by MPs and Bishops, and publicity in the media. However, it would add considerable weight to the campaign if the views of individual places of worship are heard.
According to the statistics released earlier this year, 86 parish churches in Southwark Diocese were among nearly 5,000 religious buildings across the country that have received these grants; this is a total of over £760,000 government funding for our listed buildings across the diocese.
The funding for the Scheme is provided by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The Scheme allows parishes with listed churches to apply for a grant (equivalent to the cost of the VAT paid – on invoices above £1,000, plus one invoice per year above £500) on any repair and maintenance work carried out, and associated professional fees, as well as some types of alterations. Since VAT is usually chargeable on this building-work, the loss of the Scheme would mean that overall costs would increase by 20%.
In the meantime, parishes with listed church buildings are strongly advised to submit claims to the Scheme as soon as possible:
https://listed-places-of-worship-grant.dcms.gov.uk/
To write to the Secretary of State expressing concern about the possible loss of this vital grant scheme, please send a letter or email to:
The Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP,
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
DCMS, 1st Floor, 100 Parliament Street
London
SW1A 2BQ
Any correspondence should also be sent to the local MP, encouraging them to make direct representations to the Secretary of State at the DCMS.
The Roman Catholic Church has shared a simple online tool which makes it quick and easy to produce a letter which can be sent to local MPs on this issue. The Historic Religious Buildings Alliance (HRBA) has provided advice (copied below) on how to do this easily.
Churches wishing to discuss this topic, or other issues regarding grants for places of worship building-projects, may wish to contact Katherine Prior (Church Buildings Fundraising Support Officer) or Luke Tatam (DAC Secretary).
Historic Religious Buildings Alliance (HRBA) advice:
How to send an email in support of the continuance of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme beyond March 2025
1. In your subject line, put ‘Attn: the Secretary of State (LPWGS)’, or something similar. Make sure you say at the beginning why you are writing – to ask for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme to be extended beyond March 2025.
2. If you have concrete experience of the Scheme, then in just one or two paragraphs explain what your project is/was for, and why the VAT refund is/was important. If the building is used for community activities, or is important to local people in other ways, say something about this. Do say if your work was funded by gifts and donations. Also mention if it involves action in response to climate change, or other environmental benefits. Also consider being explicit that you are grateful that government provides the Scheme! Obviously, be polite and avoid hectoring.
3. Send your email to The Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 1st Floor, 100 Parliament Street, London SW1A 2BQ at [email protected]. You can also copy your own MP (find their email address https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/).
OR
How to use the online tool to ask your MP to write to Lisa Nandy – asking her to continue the Listed Place of Worship Grant Scheme beyond March 2025
WHAT THE ONLINE TOOL DOES
The online tool sends an email to your local MP. It comes from your email address. It uses your postcode to find your MP’s email address. The tool has kindly been provided by the Catholic church, but your email makes no mention of this.
TEMPLATE LETTER
The tool is already loaded with a template letter which is applicable to any place of worship, not just Catholic churches.
AMENDING THE TEMPLATE
The template letter is ready to go, but you can amend it or add to it if you want to. For example, after the first paragraph you could add a short paragraph saying who you are/where you’re from, or something about your place of worship. You may want to invite your MP to visit your place of worship. Or you might prefer to do that when you receive a reply (which you probably will). We strongly recommend you do not comment on the timescales for making decisions about the LPWGS; the focus of the letter should remain firmly on the continuance of the Scheme. Be positive but concerned. Don’t be grumpy.
USING THE ONLINE TOOL
The tool is at https://www.cbcew.org.uk/listed-places-of-worship-grant-scheme/.
READ THIS: After inserting your details you press ‘submit’ – despite the name of this button, this doesn’t submit the letter, it merely takes you to the template letter, and when you’re happy with the letter you then submit it.
