Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Labour MP for Clapham & Brixton Hill

a Strong Voice for Clapham & Brixton Hill

My Voting Record 🗳️

Early Day Motion 868: Cap exemption under Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

Feb 27, 2025 | Parliamentary Work

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Many faith buildings are facing major bills and disruption to renovation works after the imposition of a new £25,000 cap on VAT relief for the Listed Places of Worship Scheme. I tabled an EDM urging the government to exempt buildings where works have already begun like Holy Trinity Church, Clapham in my constituency.

That this House notes with concern that the new £25,000 cap on the Listed Places of Worship scheme has created significant financial difficulties for churches across the country that have building projects already in progress; believes that the sudden and unexpected introduction of the cap on January 22nd amounts to an unfair change of policy for places of worship that have already signed contracts; notes that the cap has put in jeopardy projects that are designed to restore important historic buildings and provide crucial community services, such as Holy Trinity Clapham which has raised £6.2m to expand its community services for the homeless and vulnerable, families and children but which now faces an extra £1m tax bill; recognises the scheme has received cross-party support across successive governments; and calls on the Government to ensure the introduction of an exemption for places of worship that already have signed contracts for projects set to conclude in the 2025-26 financial year, before the cap was introduced.

Find your MP and write to them today to encourage them to sign this EDM.