The Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme is a lifeline for historic churches – saving them 20 per cent on repair costs, through refunds on VAT. But the future of the scheme is uncertain – and listed places of worship across the country are now paying up to a fifth more for repairs, to fix urgent needs like leaking roofs and crumbling towers. Some of them cannot afford to do these repairs anymore, putting heritage and church buildings across the country at risk of disrepair and closure.
The Christian Funders Forum wrote an open letter to the Government in March 2025 urging them not to withdraw the scheme and to remove the £25,000 cap.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport have now been given their budget for the next few years and it is up to them to decide if they will fund the scheme. The National Churches Trust are urging people to write to their MP’s to make the case for the future of the scheme. A template letter is available on their website.
To stay updated on developments about the scheme click the button to the National Churches Trust website below.
