Christian leaders have expressed deep concern about the future of historic churches across Scotland after the abrupt closure of a funding scheme.
The UK Government announced that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (LPWGS) would stop at the end of March 2026, without any official consultation with denominations or the Scottish Government. LPWGS enabled congregations to reclaim Valued Added Tax (20% VAT) on repairs to buildings of national importance and the fund provides support for churches across Scotland.
The Scottish Church Leaders’ Forum, which is convened by the URC’s National Synod of Scotland Moderator, the Revd Lindsay Sanderson, said the sudden decision to end the VAT recovery scheme will “severely affect community efforts to fix roofs, maintain aging heating systems and hold back damp”.
Many listed church buildings are also vital community hubs used by a wide variety of groups offering support to local people. The Scottish Church Leaders’ Forum has raised its concerns in a letter to the Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP, who heads the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Church leaders encouraged people to raise their concerns with their local MPs and invite them to visit their listed church buildings to learn about the important community and spiritual work which takes place within.
The Rt Rev Rosie Frew, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said: “We are seeking urgent clarification and assurances that money will continue to be made available in Scotland to fund essential repairs to listed church buildings. We have no idea what the implications are … where devolved governments receive a proportion of funding when the UK Government spends money for England.”
Church leaders warned that the loss of government funding risks increasing the number of heritage church buildings in Scotland needed to be cared for by the state, putting more pressure on public bodies such as Historic Environment Scotland. National Lottery funding is not always a suitable and ethical alternative for many congregations due to grants being derived from the proceeds of gambling.
The Revd Lindsey Sanderson said: “Church buildings are much more than bricks and mortar. They are places to meet with God whether that is in the act of worshipping, through the care given by a fellowship group, the justice seeking of refugee support project or the quiet serenity of architectural heritage.
“Sometimes, however, support is needed to sustain the bricks and mortar to enable people to have these divine encounters. The sudden ending of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme in Scotland, without consultation with the Scottish Government nor Christian denominations raises significant challenges for many historic churches across the nation and threatens the way in which these buildings continue to be places of mission and ministry today.
“I hope that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will respond positively to the concerns raised by the Scottish Church Leaders’ Forum.”