Stuart Anderson MP says Shropshire’s historic churches must be protected
Stuart Anderson MP has urged the government to support efforts to conserve historic places of worship at risk. It comes as a multi-million pound support scheme is due to end in March 2025, if the government does not extend it.
Since 2010, the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (LPWGS) has invested £358 million in churches, chapels, and other venues. It provides grants towards the VAT incurred by registered charities and faith groups on costs of over £1,000 associated with the repair and conservation of listed places of worship. This includes the roofs, masonry, and monuments integral to such buildings.
The Scheme, which is jointly funded by HM Treasury and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, presently handles around 7,000 claims per annum. It applies to all faiths and denominations across the UK. Since 2010, more than £358 million has been allocated in grant funding to support places of worship throughout the UK. 22,633 listed places of worship have been the recipients of grant funding through LPWGS since 2014, with 5,000 supported last year.
727 claims have been paid to places of worship in the West Midlands, worth almost £3 million, since August 2022. At present, there is up to £42 million available per year. This amount of funding has been secured until 31 March 2025. Yet, there are still over 900 churches on the ‘Historic England Heritage’ at Risk Register - including 16 in South Shropshire. So, Stuart has called on the new government to extend this scheme. He has said that it would equip faith leaders with the confidence they need to proceed with conservation projects, amid increasing reports of leaky roofs, crumbling towers, and collapsing floors.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
“South Shropshire is home to some of the most historic and beautiful churches and places of worship. Yet, an increasing number are in need of urgent repairs. The last government invested £350 million to preserve and maintain these buildings through the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which reimburses VAT on repair works over £1,000. Our constituency has received over £100,000 since 2022 to support local conservation projects. Yet, there are still over 900 churches on the Historic England ‘Heritage at Risk’ Register - including 16 in South Shropshire. If the Scheme is not extended beyond its deadline of March 2025, we risk losing these assets. So I am urging the government to continue it.”
20,000 places of worship have statutory listed status, accounting for nearly half of Britain’s most important historic buildings (Grade I or equivalent). More details about Scheme and how to apply can be found at www.listed-places-of-worship-grant.dcms.gov.uk.
