The Sunday Times reports that the pressure on the finances of churches has long been immense, but a decision by Labour shortly after it came to power in 2024 has made it even worse.
Between 2001 and 2023, the listed places of worship grant scheme gave rebates of up to £42 million of VAT a year for listed church repairs, lowering conservation and maintenance costs by 20 per cent. In 2024, Sir Keir Starmer’s government introduced a cap of £25,000 on these rebates, in effect cutting the total funding to £23 million. Then, in January, it was announced with three months’ notice that the scheme would be closed.
“It was a real kick in the teeth,” said Kathryn Manouch, who is on the fundraising committee for the parish of East Dean, Singleton and West Dean near Chichester, Sussex.
She has been trying to raise £126,000 for vital repairs to the tower at St Andrew in West Dean, parts of which date back to the Saxon period. She has organised pub quizzes, raffles, concerts and more, including a talk in the village hall about 17th-century stagecoach routes in the area.
In March, there was just £12,000 left to raise. Overnight, Labour’s policy change meant they had to pay the VAT bill — adding more than £25,000……….
The article also gives the following data: There are more clergy of 75 and over (4,243) than under 50 (3,288). Only 549 priests under 35 are trained to step into the nation’s 6,000-plus benefices, according to Sunday Times analysis. The result, inevitably, will be bigger and bigger multi-church benefices. There are only two members of the clergy under the age of 25.
Read The Sunday Times (£) here https://www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/article/why-we-need-to-help-save-our-parish-churches-dbnx200zd