Sign in
☰
People MPsHouse of LordsGovernmentOppositionPartiesCommittees Votes Commons votesLords votesVotes by issueTopicsStats & rankingsParliament in numbers Legislation BillsEarly day motionsPetitions Elections Election resultsConstituenciesWho is my MP? Scotland OverviewMSPsScottish GovernmentVotesBillsMotionsCommitteesConstituencies & regionsElections Search Sign in

Petition · Department for Culture, Media and Sport, HM Treasury

Government to maintain VAT relief on repairs for historic churches

Open for signatures 246 signatures

What the petition asks

We urgently call on the Government to maintain the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (LPWGS) and VAT relief on church repairs. Not doing so, we believe, adds a 20% tax burden on struggling congregations, threatening historic churches and signalling reduced support for Christian institutions.
The LPWGS, which has provided £300m+ since 2014 to cover VAT on repairs, ended on March 31, 2026 after its final £23m was spent. A new £92m fund over four years, limited to England and competitive, falls short of what is needed. We believe historic churches will as a result face financial strain, risking closures, neglect, and loss of heritage.

Timeline

21 Apr 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 246
Status Open for signatures
Department Department for Culture, Media and Sport, HM Treasury
Opened 21 Apr 2026

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.