Places of Worship Renewal Fund
2026-04-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Church leaders in Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket are concerned about the cancellation of the listed places of worship grant scheme. The community is worried about the support and guidance given to those who maintain churches.
I thank my hon. Friend for her answer. Church leaders in Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket are rightly concerned about the cancellation of the listed places of worship grant scheme. Will the Church Commissioner outline what conversations she has had with the Government regarding the support and guidance given to those people who are concerned with the upkeep of churches in my constituency and across the country? It is surely for our generation to preserve the legacy bequeathed to us by our forefathers.
I can confirm that I have met colleagues in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on numerous occasions, most recently the Minister for Heritage just before Easter recess. We are still waiting for the Government to publish more detail on this vital scheme. As I said in my meeting with the Minister, I urge the Government to get on and publish that detail at pace so that we can give our churches certainty.
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Assessment & feedback
The answerer did not confirm whether projects already under way will be eligible for the renewal scheme.
We Are Still Waiting For The Government To Pub [3D [K Publish More Detail On This Vital Scheme.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Church leaders in Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket are concerned about the cancellation of the listed places of worship grant scheme. The community is worried about the support and guidance given to those who maintain churches.
I thank my hon. Friend for her answer. Church leaders in Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket are rightly concerned about the cancellation of the listed places of worship grant scheme. Will the Church Commissioner outline what conversations she has had with the Government regarding the support and guidance given to those people who are concerned with the upkeep of churches in my constituency and across the country? It is surely for our generation to preserve the legacy bequeathed to us by our forefathers.
I can confirm that I have met colleagues in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on numerous occasions, most recently the Minister for Heritage just before Easter recess. We are still waiting for the Government to publish more detail on this vital scheme. As I said in my meeting with the Minister, I urge the Government to get on and publish that detail at pace so that we can give our churches certainty. In the meantime, while we await the guidance, my hon. Friend's constituency churches can reach out to their diocesan Church Buildings Council adviser for further advice, support and guidance on this issue.
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Assessment & feedback
The answerer did not confirm whether projects already under way will be eligible for the renewal scheme.
We Are Still Waiting For The Government To Pub [3D [K Publish More Detail On This Vital Scheme.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The community in Sturminster Marshall is raising funds to repair and modernise their church space under Project Welcome, which aims to create a warm, safe, and accessible church. The closure of the listed places of worship grant scheme has led to increased costs.
You will be aware, Mr Speaker, that Lib Dems are great at fixing the church roof. In Sturminster Marshall, the community is going further with Project Welcome, which will repair and modernise the space, creating a warm, safe and accessible church that is integral to the community. However, the closure of the listed places of worship grant scheme means that costs have gone through the roof. The community has raised £275,000 of a £360,000 target, which, without the VAT, they would have achieved. Can the hon. Lady confirm whether projects already under way will be eligible for the renewal scheme?
I will just put it on the record that we are all, across the House, keen advocates for our local churches; we recognise that they are the cornerstones of our community, so we are all hugely supportive of efforts to fix roofs, or whatever needs to be done to them. The hon. Lady highlights an important point about the scheme, and I will be happy to write to her about it.
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Assessment & feedback
The answerer did not confirm whether ongoing church renovation projects are eligible for the new renewal fund.
I Will Be Happy To Write To Her About It.
Response accuracy