The UK Government’s Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme has now closed to new applications, and all awards within the 2025/26 budget have now been allocated to applicants. 

There will be no further funding rounds under the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which brings to a close a mechanism by which listed places of worship could reclaim VAT on certain repair and maintenance works for over two decades. Any further applications should therefore not be made as all funding has been allocated.

The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme previously provided grants covering VAT incurred on eligible repairs and renovations to listed buildings used for worship, including works such as masonry repairs, structural works, and restoration projects. A cap was introduced from 1 April 2025 of £25,000 per listed place of worship per year.

The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme becomes The Places of Worship Renewal Fund in England

In England, we understand that a new scheme, “The Places of Worship Renewal Fund”, will be introduced which will open to applications starting in 2026/27. Further details will be announced by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in due course, but what we know at the moment is:

  • The Places of Worship Renewal Fund will be a £92 million four-year-fund (£23 million per year)
  • The Places of Worship Renewal Fund will still be a fund for all listed places of worship, so churches, chapels, meeting houses and cathedrals as well as synagogues, temples and mosques will all be eligible. However, it will be available to listed places of worship in England only.
  • It will shift from a VAT-only rebate model to funding total project capital works, targeting repairs and community-focused improvements for listed buildings.
  • The fund will be delivered by Historic England.

Nothing has yet been released about any additional funding or support for places of worship in Scotland, Wales/Cymru or Northern Ireland.

Further information

If you have any questions about the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, or the VAT situation of your heritage assets, please contact vat@ct.me.