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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what were the estimated replacement costs for lead stolen from churches in England in each of the last five years.

The Government are not party to information on the replacement costs for lead stolen from churches in England, as this is the responsibility of local congregations. We have not had discussions with Historic England regarding the replacement of lead stolen from church roofs, nor the use of alternative materials in their replacement.

Government currently provides support to churches throughout the UK via the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme which is presently funded to a maximum of £42m per annum. Established in 2001, the scheme provides grants towards VAT paid on repairs, maintenance and alterations to listed buildings that are used principally as places of worship.