Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

The following is a bulletin taken from the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme website.

http://www.lpwscheme.org.uk/

IMMEDIATE FUTURE OF THE GRANT SCHEME

The Department has announced that the LPW scheme will continue for a further 4 years from April 2011. There will be an annual fixed maximum budget of £12 million, and the Department will discuss with faith groups and denominations how the scheme can best operate within that budget. The restriction to scope already announced from 4 January will remain in place- professional fees, and repairs to clocks, pews, bells and organs, will remain ineligible from 1 April. Further announcements will be made in due course.

CHANGES TO THE GRANT SCHEME

The Department for Culture, Media and Support very much regrets that, in line with the need to reduce public expenditure, funding for the scheme in 2010/11 has been reduced. The views of denominations were sought as to how this could be achieved, although we acknowledge that the choice was a difficult one to make.

INELIGIBILTY OF WORKS

With effect from 4 January 2011 the following will become ineligible under the scheme, irrespective of when the works were undertaken:

professional fees
repairs to organs, pews, bells and clocks

VAT INCREASE

From January 2011, the VAT rate is due to increase to 20%. The scheme will still refund the full VAT paid for works that remain eligible.