Government Grant Fund extended

The Listed Places of Worship Grant (LPWG) Scheme has been extended but only for one year.

The fund has also been capped at £23 million, compared to the £42 million that has been available since 2012.

The Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism, Sir Chris Bryant, told MPs there was a “very tough” financial situation in his department, with “a lot of competing demands.”

Launched in 2001, the scheme provides grants covering the VAT on repairs costing more than £1000 to listed buildings used as places of worship, up to a maximum of £25,000. It was due to expire at the end of March.

The Department reported that last year almost 5000 churches had received a grant. 94% of claims were under £25,000, and more than 70% were under £5,000.

Applications can now be made on line via the DCMS website at https://listed-places-of-worship-grant.dcms.gov.uk/