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Churches: Repairs and Maintenance

Asked by Simon HoareConservativeDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled Answered 9 February 2026UIN 109817

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has has made of the levels of repairs to churches which will not proceed as a result of VAT changes.

Answered by Ian Murray

The Department conducted an evaluation of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. The evaluation included an extensive survey of current and past scheme users and is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-the-listed-places-of-worship-scheme-final-report. 80% of respondents said that they would still have carried out the work without the rebate, Of these, 15% would have carried out works in the same way, 34% would have carried out works but delayed, 15% would have carried out works but been more economical, and 16% would have delayed and been more economical.

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