Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the (a) economic and (b) social effect of using church buildings for cultural and entertainment purposes.

Many places of worship do accommodate additional uses, including those for social support, cultural and entertainment purposes, alongside worship. These buildings provide economic and social positive externalities to the country as a whole, and at a local level, they provide a thriving community asset. Places of worship forge social capital by strengthening community cohesion and belonging alongside providing significant social benefits in times of need. Social action at places of worship is equally prevalent and valuable, such as food banks, blood donation centres and night shelters.

The Government has set out its vision and strategy to protect the historic environment, including England’s places of worship, in the 2017 Heritage Statement. The DCMS-funded Taylor Review Pilot and its subsequent evaluation underlines the importance of a strategic approach, based on understanding the gaps in local community provision, when considering additional uses of places of worship.