Announcement on the future of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

At a Westminster Hall debate on 22 January, Sir Chris Bryant MP, the Minister for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries, announced that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme will continue for 12 months from March 2025.  

The scheme provides grants towards VAT paid on repairs and renovations to listed places of worship across the UK, but changes include a cap of £25,000 that each site can claim during the year, which can be spread across multiple claims.  

Greg Pickup, Chief Executive, Churches Conservation Trust, says: “Since its establishment in 2004, historic churches in the care of CCT have benefited from the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which has helped to galvanise community fundraising efforts to greater effect and enabled crucial conservation repairs to take place.  

There are some concerns that the scheme has only been extended for 12 months, and that a spending cap has been introduced. We await further announcements so that we can continue to support communities and churches beyond the initial 12-month period and continue to demonstrate the positive impact of the scheme.”   

Extension of the scheme is a welcome step in what has been a time of uncertainly for those who care for historic churches. CCT awaits further news on the future of the grant scheme post March 2026.