VAT ON ALTERATIONS TO CHURCHES

That this House notes the announcement in the Budget that alterations to listed properties will be subject to the standard rate of VAT; is concerned that 45 per cent of the GradeIlisted buildings in this country are Church of England churches; further notes that out of 16,000 Church of England churches 12,500 are listed and will be subject to this VAT; further notes that the budget to cover the repair of churches for the scheme has this year been cut from 23 million to 7 million; acknowledges that many of these buildings are maintained by volunteers; further notes that many of the alterations in question will make such buildings more viable for use by the wider community; and calls on the Government to exclude listed places of worship from the standard rate of VAT.