Oral Answers to Questions

Robert Halfon Excerpts

Thursday 5th July 2012 Commons Chamber

The hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, was asked—

[Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con)]

10. What recent assessment the Church Commissioners have made of the listed places of worship grants scheme.

[The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Sir Tony Baldry)]

The sum of £30 million per year, for the life of this Parliament, will be added to the existing listed places of worship grant scheme, making a total fund of £42 million per year. The fund will be made available annually to ensure that all eligible repairs and alterations to listed church buildings receive a full rebate of the equivalent of VAT.

[Robert Halfon]

On behalf of many church leaders from Harlow and the villages who have written to me about this issue—Valerie and Simon Dinwiddy from St Mary-at-Latton church, Joan Jones and many others—I thank the Government for listening. Can my hon. Friend give those people comfort by assuring them that his financial support will not last for just a few months, but is a longer-term commitment from the Government?

[Sir Tony Baldry]

I think that we must all thank the Chancellor of the Exchequer for making the extra money available. Indeed, he has undertaken to make it available each year for the remaining life of the current Parliament. I hope that we can secure cross-party agreement and understanding that the scheme will continue irrespective of what happens at the next general election.