On 22 January, the Government announced a £1.5 billion package of support for “cultural organisations” over the coming five years. The press release is here.

The package includes “£230 million for heritage, protecting and preserving heritage buildings, including listed places of worship, across the country”. Specifically in relation to places of worship:

“In recognition of the important role religious heritage buildings play in the UK’s national story, a new £92 million fund called the Places of Worship Renewal Fund will replace the £23 million Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme and bring these important buildings into line with other heritage assets. It will give them access to the same level of financial support from the Government as historic houses, monuments and other heritage sites.”

At the same time, DCMS published Evaluation of the Listed Places of Worship Scheme – Final Report. It concludes that “in most cases the grant is contributing directly to securing more repair and maintenance to listed places of worship”.

The Church of England subsequently issued a press release welcoming the Government’s announcement.  However:

“we are very concerned that the end of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme – after more than 20 years – will mean added pressure on local fundraisers and inevitably a drain on other sources of funding. We will work with the wider sector and the Government to see how that burden can be alleviated.”

Bs Twycross subsequently confirmed on behalf of DCMS that

… the new Places of Worship Renewal Fund will be for England only. UK-wide heritage funding is available through organisations including the National Lottery Heritage Fund and we are working closely with funders in the sector to ensure that opportunities for funding places of worship throughout the UK are maximised.