Christian leaders in Scotland have expressed concern over the future of historic churches due to the closure of a crucial funding scheme.
The UK Government announced that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (LPWGS) would stop at the end of March 2026 without informing denominations or the Scottish Government.
The scheme enabled parishes to reclaim Valued Added Tax (20% VAT) on repairs to buildings of national importance.
The Scottish Church Leaders’ Forum said the sudden decision to end the VAT recovery scheme will “severely affect community efforts to fix roofs, maintain aging heating systems and hold back damp”.
The fund provided vital support for churches, including more than 40 Catholic churches in the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh.
Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland will join Rt Rev Rosie Frew, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, in talks with Kirsty McNeill MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland, on 10 March.
To replace the UK-wide LPWGS, in January DCMS announced a £92million fund for the next four years, for heritage places of worship in England only.
‘Massive impact’
Bishop Keenan said: “The closure of the LPWGS will have a massive impact on the larger projects being carried out on Catholic churches across Scotland.
“One of our eight dioceses alone has estimated that it will stand to lose over £100,000 per annum on the routine maintenance works that it carries out on its listed churches.
“In areas of deprivation where the environment is falling into depopulation and decline, the open doors of the local church and the light shining from within, is a source of solidarity, consolation and hope for the community that remains.”
The Church of Scotland is the largest owner of listed buildings in Scotland and currently owns over 1,100 listed churches and halls.
Mrs Frew said: “We acknowledge the current budgetary constraints facing all levels of government, but listed churches are not simply about curating cultural architecture, they are important centres for the whole community.
“They are living, breathing spaces at the heart of communities, the length and breadth of Scotland, and play a vital role in community life, hosting social action/outreach work including foodbanks, activities for schools, young people and the elderly.
“The decision to end LPWGS will impact current repair projects as well as ending a scheme which has been vital over many years, and without will add further financial burdens to congregations and the Church as a whole.
“The Church has been forced to sell many historic and beloved buildings in recent years because we can’t afford to keep and run them, due to changing demographics and behaviour patterns.
“Sadly, the likelihood is that this move will make further disposals happen sooner.”
