Places of Worship Renewal Fund 2026-04-16
2026-04-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Church leaders in Bury St Edmunds and S [1D [K Stowmarket are concerned about the cancellation of the listed places of wor [3D [K worship grant scheme. The community is worried about the support and guidan [6D [K guidance given to those who maintain churches.
I thank my hon. Friend for her answer. Church lea [3D [K leaders in Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket are rightly concerned about the c [1D [K cancellation of the listed places of worship grant scheme. Will the Church [K Commissioner outline what conversations she has had with the Government reg [3D [K regarding the support and guidance given to those people who are concerned [K with the upkeep of churches in my constituency and across the country? It i [1D [K is surely for our generation to preserve the legacy bequeathed to us by our [3D [K our forefathers.
I can confirm that I have met colleagues in the Dep [3D [K Department for Culture, Media and Sport on numerous occasions, most recentl [7D [K recently the Minister for Heritage just before Easter recess. We are still [K waiting for the Government to publish more detail on this vital scheme. As [K I said in my meeting with the Minister, I urge the Government to get on and [3D [K and publish that detail at pace so that we can give our churches certainty. [10D [K certainty.
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Assessment & feedback
The answerer did not confirm whether projects alr [3D [K 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
▸
Context
The Church leaders in Bury St Edmunds and S [1D [K Stowmarket are concerned about the cancellation of the listed places of wor [3D [K worship grant scheme. The community is worried about the support and guidan [6D [K guidance given to those who maintain churches.
I thank my hon. Friend for her answer. Church lea [3D [K leaders in Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket are rightly concerned about the c [1D [K cancellation of the listed places of worship grant scheme. Will the Church [K Commissioner outline what conversations she has had with the Government reg [3D [K regarding the support and guidance given to those people who are concerned [K with the upkeep of churches in my constituency and across the country? It i [1D [K is surely for our generation to preserve the legacy bequeathed to us by our [3D [K our forefathers.
I can confirm that I have met colleagues in the Dep [3D [K Department for Culture, Media and Sport on numerous occasions, most recentl [7D [K recently the Minister for Heritage just before Easter recess. We are still [K waiting for the Government to publish more detail on this vital scheme. As [K I said in my meeting with the Minister, I urge the Government to get on and [3D [K and publish that detail at pace so that we can give our churches certainty. [10D [K certainty. In the meantime, while we await the guidance, my hon. Friend's c [1D [K constituency churches can reach out to their diocesan Church Buildings Coun [4D [K Council adviser for further advice, support and guidance on this issue.
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Assessment & feedback
The answerer did not confirm whether projects alr [3D [K 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 ra [2D [K raising funds to repair and modernise their church space under Project Welc [4D [K Welcome, which aims to create a warm, safe, and accessible church. The clos [4D [K closure of the listed places of worship grant scheme has led to increased c [1D [K costs.
You will be aware, Mr Speaker, that Lib Dems are [K great at fixing the church roof. In Sturminster Marshall, the community is [K going further with Project Welcome, which will repair and modernise the spa [3D [K space, creating a warm, safe and accessible church that is integral to the [K community. However, the closure of the listed places of worship grant schem [5D [K scheme means that costs have gone through the roof. The community has raise [5D [K raised £275,000 of a £360,000 target, which, without the VAT, they would ha [2D [K have achieved. Can the hon. Lady confirm whether projects already under way [3D [K way will be eligible for the renewal scheme?
I will just put it on the record that we are all, a [1D [K across the House, keen advocates for our local churches; we recognise that [K they are the cornerstones of our community, so we are all hugely supportive [10D [K supportive of efforts to fix roofs, or whatever needs to be done to them. T [1D [K The hon. Lady highlights an important point about the scheme, and I will be [2D [K be happy to write to her about it.
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Assessment & feedback
The answerer did not confirm whether ongoing chur [4D [K church renovation projects are eligible for the new renewal fund.
I Will Be Happy To Write To Her About It.
Response accuracy