Two Government Ministers have replied to letters from their constituents suggesting that the proposed increased Lottery share to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) will somehow ensure that more funds are available for projects such as church repairs, and thus compensate for the loss of the Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme (LPWS).  This scheme, which recompenses listed places of worship for VAT on the cost of repairs and maintenance, is due to end in March 2011.

Chairman of The Heritage Alliance Loyd Grossman has pointed out firmly to one of the Ministers, Dr Liam Fox MP for North Somerset, the value of  the LPWS : it goes directly to local communities and has attracted five times the Government investment through donations and match-funding.

The Alliance welcomes the Government’s intention to increase  HLF’s share of Lottery funding but this does not necessarily mean that funds will flow to churches, since HLF grants are awarded on a competitive basis whereas the repayment of VAT under the LPWS is automatic.  LPWS grants are relatively easy to apply for and follow the actual work undertaken for new facilities as well as the historic fabric. Some places of worship may find it difficult to satisfy HLF’s access and education criteria, and even if a special programme was established under HLF, certain denominations and faiths would not accept the profits of gambling.

Our Chairman’s letter has been brought to the attention of Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Heritage & Tourism Minister John Penrose, and copied to Theresa May Home Secretary and MP for Maidenhead who replied similarly to a constituent.