EDM 888: Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme in York

That this House notes that from 1 April 2025 the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme will limit VAT relief to £25,000, with no further plans beyond 2026; further notes that while 94% of projects will be unaffected by these changes, it has generated significant challenges for projects which have already commenced such as The Belfrey, in York where its £10m project has now lost £1.5m of funding due to these changes at short notice, while the church has already removed the floor, the windows, stripped back the walls, and is removing the roof, leaving a ruin held together with scaffolding; believes that immediate remedy must be provided to support the few projects which are impacted by these changes, recognising that the places of worship impacted by this change have already signed contracts for works, and this will also impact on their social programmes to the city, their worshipers and their plans for the future; and therefore calls on the Government to work with those projects impacted to find a resolution to the loss in funds as a matter of urgency.