Church urges rethink on Government removal of VAT exemption

 

The Church of England is calling on congregations to oppose proposals in the Government's March budget which could cost parish churches across the country £20m a year.

The Government proposed an abolition of the current VAT exemption on alterations to listed places of worship from October this year. This would have far-reaching consequences for the Church of England's 12,500 listed cathedral and church buildings, which are almost entirely maintained by volunteers and voluntary giving. It is feared the move could deter some parishes from undertaking building projects at all.

The CofE has set up an e-petition on the direct.gov website to put pressure on the Government to change its minds. It needs 100,000 signatures to have a chance of this petition being debated in Parliament.

Guildford Cathedral's director of operations Tina Grear said: “Financial support for places of worship is already a significant challenge. The removal of VAT exemption from works is a serious blow in an already difficult financial context. I would urge everyone to sign the petition."

Cathedral architet John Bailey said: "For all of those striving to improve church buildings through new facilities, re ordering projects and other alterations this will potentially have a devastating impact on funding.

"In effect 20% of what you raise through years of hard work will simply be taken by the treasury and provide no benefit to the communities forced to hand it over. The amount of money this ill conceived tax will raise is very small - please do what you can to make the Chancellor change his mind."

Please consider signing the e-petition before the deadline of June 30.

Writing to your local MP with local examples will also be effective and a letter has been drafted for you to personalise and sign should you wish which can be downloaded here

Do also take a look at an excellent video on YouTube produced by the wife of the Dean of Wakefield Cathedral.