Currently, churches can reclaim VAT on any work they do to the fabric of their building but this concession is about to be lost and we need your help to ensure it continues.
The Listed Places of Worship (LPW) scheme was introduced in 2000. The LPW Scheme provides a grant equivalent to the cost of VAT on repair and maintenance work and associated professional fees on listed churches. The funding is provided by the Department for Culture Media and Sport and is due to expire 31 March 2025.
It is important that this funding should be renewed. As VAT is chargeable on all repairs to listed churches, its removal would add 20% to the cost of projects. The views of our parishes need to be heard.
The Church Buildings team are encouraging churches to write to their local MP to explain what the LPW Scheme means to them. It is suggested that, for those that have benefited from the LPW grant already, that you make clear how beneficial it has been, express thanks, and invite them to see the church. For more information from the Church Buildings team email: email hidden; JavaScript is required
I decided to email John Glen, MP for Salisbury, and got a prompt reply and he came to see me in church 2 weeks later.
We need to encourage all churches to write and explain how important this facility is. The fund raising it saves is enormous for what ever project that is eligible. For big projects it can mean refunds of tens of thousands of pounds. The subject could even come up in the coming Budget.
If you know your church is proposing major works, please talk to your Churchwarden about this.
Anthony Lovell-Wood
LEBRF Trustee
