Board of Deputies backs call to make listed worship grant permanent

The Board of Deputies has welcomed a recommendation by the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee for the Government to make its Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (LPWGS) permanent.

The scheme, which refunds VAT on repairs to listed religious buildings, has played a crucial role in the upkeep of historic synagogues, including Bevis Marks – the UK’s oldest – and six others that received support in 2022/23. It was recently extended but with reduced funding and a £25,000 cap per project.

Ben Crowne, Treasurer of the Board and of the Bevis Marks Heritage Foundation, said the synagogue’s restoration “would not have been possible without LPWGS support.”

“We strongly supported making this scheme permanent in our evidence to the Committee’s inquiry on protecting built heritage,” he added. “We are pleased to see this recommendation now go forward to the Government.”

The Committee’s final report is expected to be considered by ministers later this year.