The landmark figure was passed as a result of the grants paid out in September under the Culture Department’s Listed Places of Worship programme.
The scheme repays to faith groups the equivalent of the VAT incurred in making repairs to listed places of worship. By relieving some of the cost of maintaining these historic buildings the scheme recognises the contribution that they make to the heritage of the country, and the vital community work often undertaken by their congregations.
David Lammy, a former director of the Church of England, said:
“This is fantastic news. Up and down the country, thousands of churches and places of worship have benefited from the extra cash boost that this scheme provides when undertaking repairs.
“The Government is committed to preserving our country’s fine listed places of worship, and this scheme enables faith groups to use money raised from supporters to do substantial amounts of work which otherwise would have gone in taxes.”
In the 2006 Budget, Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown extended the scheme until 2011, and added repairs to some fixtures and fittings, and VAT incurred on professional fees to the scope of the scheme.
Notes for editors:
1. The Listed Places of Worship (LPW) scheme was established in the 2001 Budget to repay to faith groups the equivalent of the VAT incurred in repairing listed churches and places of worship. It is UK wide.
2. The scheme is a temporary one pending negotiations in Europe as to whether church repairs can be eligible for a 5 per cent VAT rate to be levied at source. The scheme is currently guaranteed until 2011 unless agreement in Europe is reached earlier.
3. The scheme covers repairs to the fabric of listed churches and places of worship, plus, since Budget 2006, repairs to clocks, pews, bells and pipe organs.
4. David Lammy is a former member of the Archbishops' Council, and Director of the Church of England's Board of Finance, by virtue of which he also sat on the General Synod.
5. The scheme’s administrators can be contacted at:
Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme,
PO Box 609,
Newport NP10 8QD,
South Wales.
Tel: 0845 601 5945 for more information please visit the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme website.
