Submitted by Max Stenner on Saturday 21st March 2026
Published on Tuesday 21st April 2026
Current status: Open
Open until: Wednesday 21st October 2026
Current Signatures: 152
(count is updated approximately hourly)
Government to maintain VAT relief on repairs for historic churches
We urgently call on the Government to maintain the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (LPWGS) and VAT relief on church repairs. Not doing so, we believe, adds a 20% tax burden on struggling congregations, threatening historic churches and signalling reduced support for Christian institutions.
The LPWGS, which has provided £300m+ since 2014 to cover VAT on repairs, ended on March 31, 2026 after its final £23m was spent. A new £92m fund over four years, limited to England and competitive, falls short of what is needed. We believe historic churches will as a result face financial strain, risking closures, neglect, and loss of heritage.
If you want to sign this petition (as opposed to merely discuss it), you need to do that on the government's e-Petitions website.
216.73.217.179 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 05:30:31 +0100