The Conservatives have announced a plan to restore funding for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme to pre-Labour levels, alongside plans to abolish the cap on repair claims introduced under Labour’s policies.
The Conservatives warned that Labour’s cuts have left many historic churches and places of worship facing an uncertain future. Labour reduced the scheme’s annual budget from £42 million to £23 million and imposed a £25,000 cap on individual claims for the first time.
These decisions have forced many congregations to delay or cancel essential repairs, increasing long-term costs, damaging historic buildings and placing the nation’s cultural heritage at serious risk. Places of worship are at the heart of community life. Under this government many have been left struggling to maintain safe and welcoming spaces. Estimates suggest that nearly 1,000 places of worship are currently at risk due to neglect.
Epping Forest MP Dr Neil Hudson has been acutely aware that communities across Epping Forest have been concerned with the threats to the places of worship that provide so much to them. As such, he has consistently sought to stand up for Epping Forest’s places of worship against the Labour Government’s changes, calling on them to continue the Listed Places of Worship Fund in Parliament https://www.neilhudson.org.uk/news/epping-forest-mp-continues-fight-listed-places-worship-grant-scheme , and through Written Parliamentary Questions, as well as recently writing to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to seek clarity on the details on its new Places of Worship Renewal Fund.
A future Conservative Government would restore the scheme’s funding to its previous level and remove Labour’s cap on repair claims. In addition, Conservatives will develop a longer-term approach to ensure sustainable support for historic places of worship, encouraging investment and safeguarding these important community assets for future generations.
These changes will be funded through a reprioritisation of grant distributions across Arm’s Length Bodies within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Dr Neil Hudson MP, welcoming the announcement, said:
“Places of worship provide so much for communities here in Epping Forest from a range of faiths. It is a tragedy this current Labour Government have chosen to reduce the vital funding that supports this.
“Labour’s decision to cut funding and impose a cap on repairs in the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme has put many buildings at risk, delaying essential works and creating real uncertainty about the future of these precious sites.
“The Conservatives will restore funding, remove the cap, and ensure places of worship have the long-term support they need to continue to serve their communities.”
Kemi Badenoch MP, Leader of the Conservative Party, said:
“In many towns and villages, places of worship are the centre of the community, steeped in history and the pride of local people. It is critical we maintain them properly, because when they’re gone, they’re lost forever.”
ENDS
