UK Churches Receive £900k While Government Cuts VAT Relief
The National Churches Trust distributed £900,000 in emergency grants to hundreds of churches across the United Kingdom facing closure as rising repair costs and government funding cuts place historic buildings under severe financial strain.
The grants will support urgent restoration projects allowing churches, chapels, and meeting houses to continue serving communities. Claire Walker, chief executive of the National Churches Trust, stated they need to find "creative solutions" to help keep churches open and in use.
The emergency funding comes as churches face mounting financial challenges following recent government changes to the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme, which now caps VAT relief on repairs, making restoration projects significantly more expensive.
Funding was made possible through partnerships with private donors, the Wolfson Foundation, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The money will assist with essential repairs including stabilising a concrete tower in Nottingham and installing a toilet at a Saxon church in the Cotswolds that has stood for over 1,000 years.
Research from the National Churches Trust suggests up to 2,000 churches across the UK could close by 2030 due to financial pressures, with rural and smaller churches particularly vulnerable to closure.
The crisis comes as the Church of England simultaneously pursues a £100 million reparations initiative called Project Spire, drawing criticism from 27 MPs who argued funds should instead support struggling parishes and church buildings.
THE CRUSADER'S OPINION
Churches need emergency funding because government capped VAT relief on repairs. Historic buildings cost dramatically more. Rural churches cannot absorb increases.
So National Churches Trust scrambles for £900,000 from private donors and lottery funds.
While Church leadership plans £100 million for guilt.
2,000 churches could close by 2030. That's the projection. Real churches with real congregations facing real closure.
Church of England's response? Reparations. Not roof repairs. Not keeping doors open. Reparations.
27 MPs begged incoming Archbishop to abandon the scheme. Said churches are closing while funds get diverted to progressive vanity projects.
This is why pews are empty. Leadership cares more about appearing progressive than supporting actual churches serving actual communities.
A Saxon church stood 1,000 years. Now needs lottery money for a toilet.
Church of England has £100 million. For reparations.
TAKE ACTION
National Churches Trust: Website: https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org Phone: +44 (0)20 7222 0605 Direct donations support churches facing closure
Contact Your MP: Demand government restore full VAT relief for church repairs and redirect Church of England reparations funds to struggling parishes
Save Britain's Heritage: Website: https://www.savebritainsheritage.org Campaign for historic church preservation
