Oral Answers to Questions

Ruth Jones Excerpts

Thursday 16th January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Liz Twist (Blaydon and Consett) (Lab)]

5. What assessment the Commissioners have made of the effectiveness of the listed places of worship grant scheme.

[Ruth Jones (Newport West and Islwyn) (Lab)]

11. What assessment the Commissioners have made of the effectiveness of the listed places of worship grant scheme.

[Gregory Stafford (Farnham and Bordon) (Con)]

12. What discussions the Commissioners have had on the continuation of VAT relief under the listed places of worship grant scheme.

--- Later in debate ---

[Marsha De Cordova]

I thank my hon. Friend for her question. I know that St Ives church is a cornerstone of that community, and I congratulate the congregation on the funding they have raised to stabilise some of the church’s structures. Grants from the buildings for mission fund are available from the diocese and may help with some of the future work. However, we all know the importance of the listed places of worship scheme, and I will continue to raise it with the Secretary of State. I hope that the Government are listening and will come forward, as the scheme is due to end in March, and we certainly do not want that to happen.

[Ruth Jones]

Over the past two years alone, Newport cathedral has reclaimed over £87,000 under the listed places of worship scheme. When it soon becomes necessary to repair the tower, at an estimated cost of £1.1 million, a further £220,000 in tax will be added to that bill, and if that cannot be reclaimed the project will be delayed even further. The cathedral provides crucial support to schools, charities, refugees and the homeless. Does my hon. Friend recognise the importance of the scheme not only in saving significant heritage treasures, but in preserving those vital services?

[Marsha De Cordova]

I absolutely recognise the importance of the scheme and the difference that the cathedral’s social impact projects are making in her community. I would be very happy to put my hon. Friend in touch with the director of property strategy for the Church in Wales, so that they can discuss this issue and, I hope, lobby together to ensure—to say it once again—that the scheme is renewed.