Epping Forest MP Dr Neil Hudson urged the Government to maintain the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, championing the crucial support places of worship provide for his constituents, during a Parliamentary Debate this week.
In that debate, Dr Hudson emphasised how valuable places of worship are for the wellbeing of communities, and the social good they provide including community outreach and youth work.
The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme currently provides financial support for Listed Places of Worship with costs incurred through repairs, covering VAT on those repairs costing over £1,000.
The Grant Scheme began in 2001 and was extended in 2023 under the previous Conservative Government, providing five grants in Epping Forest since that extension. However, since their election, the Labour Government had provided no indication of any plans to extend the funding and omitted it from the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget last year.
This background led to concern among places of worship, in Epping Forest and across the country, that the Scheme could be abandoned, and vital repair projects be unaffordable if the financial support was axed.
In response to constituency concern, Dr Hudson has worked hard to raise the vital importance of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme with Ministers since the General Election, writing to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport outlining how crucial it is the Scheme is extended,, and submitting Written Parliamentary Questions asking if the Scheme would be extended, and to outline what support it is providing for Listed Places of Worship nationwide.
Following months of little information on the Scheme, on the day of the Debate triggered by the Conservatives, the Government confirmed that it would be continuing the Scheme for just a further year. However, they have slashed the amount the total amount they will spend, from £42 million spent in 2023 on claims, to £23 million for the next year, and have also set a stringent limit of £25,000 that any Listed Place of Worship can claim within a year under the scheme.
In that debate, Dr Hudson said:
“The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme is vital for our communities. The previous Conservative Government extended it in 2023, and since 2022 five grants have been awarded in my constituency. I have been contacted by a number of places of worship that are deeply concerned about the future of the scheme. Does my hon. Friend agree that, for the sake of worship, outreach, youth work, helping vulnerable people, and community hubs, it is right for the Government to extend the scheme?”
Bradley Thomas, Conservative MP for Bromsgrove and leader of the Debate responded:
“I wholeheartedly agree that the scheme should be extended, given all the economic and social benefits my hon. Friend touched on and the many others that Members will cite. It is a no-brainer that the Government should pursue this.”
Following the Debate, Dr Hudson commented:
“Places of worship are vital pillars at the heart of our communities in Epping Forest, providing crucial support to so many people, young and old. It is only right that institutions which support us must be supported by the Government in turn.”
“While Labour have confirmed a short and reduced continuation of the Scheme, this is only a small crumb of comfort for Listed Places of Worship who rely on this scheme.
Our places of worship need longer-term access to proper financial support, and I will continue to fight for this for the people in Epping Forest who enjoy and depend upon these crucial community assets.”
