Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

Thursday 16 January 2025 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions discussed the listed places of worship grant scheme on 2025-01-16.
  • The scheme supports repairs and improvements for historic churches like St Michael on Greenhill and St Michael's in Linlithgow.
  • Questions raised concerns about the financial burden on churches needing major repairs and the scheme's impact on rural communities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Dave Robertson Lab Lichfield
Community Security Culture, Media & Sport
Context

St Michael on Greenhill church in Lichfield is undergoing renovations and improvements with support from the listed places of worship grant scheme.

Question

The listed places of worship grant scheme is essential to renovations and improvements being made by St Michael on Greenhill church in my constituency. Can the Second Church Estates Commissioner give any assurance to me and my constituents across Lichfield, Burntwood and the villages that this grant and Government support will be available to support excellent projects such as the creation of a new community hub?

Answer from Marsha De Cordova

I congratulate my hon. Friend on raising this issue. It is so important to ensure that our local churches are supported and that churches such as St Michael’s in his constituency can deliver the repairs they need so that they can continue to be a benefit to their communities. The National Churches Trust recently found that for every £1 of investment £16 is returned to the local community in the form of events facilities, warm spaces, food banks and so much more. He will not be surprised to learn that I have raised the issue of the listed places of worship scheme with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and I really hope that the Government are listening and will want to continue with this vital and essential scheme.

Answered
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Q2 Kirsteen Sullivan Labour (Co-op) Bathgate and Linlithgow
Religion & Faith
Context

St Michael’s church in Linlithgow, a category A listed site, has benefited greatly from the listed places of worship grant scheme.

Question

The construction of St Michael’s church in Linlithgow began in 1424, and it is a significant centre of worship in the newly formed parish of Linlithgow and Avon Valley. As a category A listed site, it has benefited greatly from the listed places of worship grant scheme over the years. Can my hon. Friend advise what engagement the commissioners have had with representatives of Churches in Scotland on the importance and effectiveness of the scheme?

Answer from Marsha De Cordova

I know that St Michael’s church in Linlithgow in my hon. Friend’s constituency is a beautiful medieval church with strong community links and engagement. Although I am accountable only for the Church of England, I reassure her that the Church is working closely with its partners in Scotland, as they too want clarity on the future of this vital scheme. I would be happy to put her in touch with the head of church buildings for the Church of Scotland if she so wishes.

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Q3 Liz Twist Lab County Durham
Community Security Religion & Faith
Context

St Ives church in Leadgate is facing costly maintenance issues and has secured grants for temporary fixes.

Question

St Ives church in Leadgate in my constituency is known as the miners’ cathedral. The building is full of heritage, but costly maintenance issues are threatening its very survival. The church has secured grants to fund temporary fixes, but a long-term solution is desperately needed. It tells me that reclaiming tax can make all the difference, so will my hon. Friend reassure me that schemes like that will continue to help churches such as St Ives?

Answer from Marsha De Cordova

I thank my hon. Friend for her question. I know that St Ives church is a cornerstone of that community, and I congratulate the congregation on the funding they have raised to stabilise some of the church’s structures. Grants from the buildings for mission fund are available from the diocese and may help with some of the future work. However, we all know the importance of the listed places of worship scheme, and I will continue to raise it with the Secretary of State. I hope that the Government are listening and will come forward, as the scheme is due to end in March, and we certainly do not want that to happen.

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Q4 Ruth Jones Lab Cardiff North
Community Security Religion & Faith
Context

Newport cathedral has reclaimed over £87,000 under the listed places of worship scheme and needs further funds for tower repairs.

Question

Over the past two years alone, Newport cathedral has reclaimed over £87,000 under the listed places of worship scheme. When it soon becomes necessary to repair the tower, at an estimated cost of £1.1 million, a further £220,000 in tax will be added to that bill, and if that cannot be reclaimed the project will be delayed even further. The cathedral provides crucial support to schools, charities, refugees and the homeless. Does my hon. Friend recognise the importance of the scheme not only in saving significant heritage treasures, but in preserving those vital services?

Answer from Marsha De Cordova

I absolutely recognise the importance of the scheme and the difference that the cathedral’s social impact projects are making in her community. I would be very happy to put my hon. Friend in touch with the director of property strategy for the Church in Wales, so that they can discuss this issue and, I hope, lobby together to ensure—to say it once again—that the scheme is renewed.

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Q5 Gregory Stafford Con Farnham and Bordon
Community Security Environment
Context

The listed places of worship grant scheme helps rural churches save significant amounts in VAT.

Question

The withdrawal of the listed places of worship scheme disproportionately affects rural churches. In my constituency of Farnham and Bordon, six listed churches saved nearly £43,000 in the past financial year through the scheme. Directors of St Andrew’s in Farnham and of St Bartholomew’s and St Christopher’s in Haslemere have raised concerns with me this week about the oversubscribed nature of other grant opportunities, such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which combines heritage restoration under the same scheme as, for example, coastal protection in the Humber estuary. This dilutes the vital church funds needed for their heritage. Can the hon. Lady inform me how churches can be supported to preserve heritage in my constituency if the VAT relief for repairs is not reinstated?

Answer from Marsha De Cordova

I thank the hon. Member for the question. As he will have heard throughout this Question Time, we are keen to ensure that the listed places of worship grant scheme continues, because we can see not only the immense benefits it brings to our communities, but how it helps to alleviate some of the challenges of raising funds. It is important that all our heritage buildings, including our churches, are preserved and that adequate funding is available for them. I would be very happy, if the hon. Member wishes, to meet him to discuss this further.

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Q6 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Religion & Faith
Context

A Church of Scotland church in the MP's constituency has been bought by a former Member of Parliament and is now in bad condition, upsetting local people.

Question

In a village in my constituency where I used to live, there is a lovely old Church of Scotland church that has been bought by a former Member of this place. It is in bad condition and it is upsetting local people. Can best practice be shared north of the border with planning authorities and heritage organisations?

Answer from Marsha De Cordova

I will certainly share the hon. Member’s thoughts, but I am happy to write to him with further details on other spaces where he can get more information on how he can support schemes in his constituency.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP's specific request for sharing best practices was not directly addressed; instead an offer to write was made.

How: Writing To The Mp

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