Britain’s historic churches, long cherished as cornerstones of community life, now stand at a precarious crossroads. MPs have sounded the alarm over a looming crisis as funding cuts coincide with soaring repair costs, threatening hundreds of these vital religious and social hubs with closure. Beyond crumbling roofs and decaying structures, campaigners warn that the current government grant scheme is insufficient to meet the scale of the need.
During a Westminster Hall debate on May 13, cross-party MPs called on ministers to reconsider the £25,000 cap imposed on the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. Though the scheme has been extended to 2026, this funding limit risks halting essential repairs midway, leaving congregations burdened with incomplete projects and escalating expenses.
Conservative MP John Glen, representing Salisbury, highlighted the crisis facing some 260 churches—including Holy Trinity Clapham—that now confront million-pound deficits due to the new restrictions. He stressed the wider role of these churches as hubs for community services, urging the government to embed this understanding into public policy and to explore reinstating capital grants. Relying solely on local fundraising efforts, Glen warned, is no longer viable.
READ MORE: Mum’s Decade-Long Battle: Women Share Their Struggles for an Endometriosis Diagnosis
READ MORE: Mary Berry’s Super Easy Three-Ingredient Fork Biscuits – Perfect for Tea Time
Liberal Democrat MP Rachel Gilmour echoed these concerns, urging the government to make the grant scheme permanent and remove the arbitrary cap. She emphasised that churches form the backbone of many communities and called for concrete government action rather than leaving congregations “praying for a miracle.”
Local churches continue to thrive despite anxieties over upkeep, Glen noted, underscoring their importance as centres for activities across all age groups. Unlike many European counterparts, Britain does not provide central government support for church building repairs. The Church of England alone is responsible for 16,000 buildings, with 12,500 listed, representing nearly half of the nation’s Grade I listed buildings.
Sir Ashley Fox, Conservative MP for Bridgwater, raised a specific example: St Mary Magdalene church in Stockland Bristol is now £300,000 short of funding after years of preparation and community fundraising. “That’s a huge amount for a small community,” he lamented.
With the government’s spending review scheduled for June 11, Glen called for revisiting the grant scheme to prevent these essential repair projects from collapsing. He referenced heritage funds that have previously supported cathedral repairs and COVID-19 recovery efforts, noting communities’ willingness to match government funding if capital grants were reintroduced.
The National Churches Trust’s House of Good report underscores the social value of churches, estimating their social care provision is twice the total adult social care budget of local councils. Glen warned that the synergy between church services and local authority care should not be taken for granted.
Liberal Democrat MP Adam Dance highlighted polling showing that 75% of the public view churches as important societal institutions. He emphasised that churches offer vital services beyond worship: Holy Trinity in Yeovil runs a baby bank assisting four families weekly, while St John’s provides a community café and debt advice. These lifelines are at risk without adequate funding.
Brian Mathew, MP for Melksham and Devizes, shared that he has received dozens of urgent appeals from church communities fearing closure due to the absence of VAT relief on repairs. These churches are “the soul” of towns and villages, promoting beauty, education, and social cohesion. Their loss, he warned, would diminish the very fabric of British society.
Liberal Democrat MP Max Wilkinson described churches as essential “anchor points” filling social gaps where the state has retreated. Pre-pandemic, churches operated thousands of social projects including food banks and night shelters, supporting millions during recent crises. His local churches provide services such as baby music classes, addiction counselling, and refugee support—services offered with humility but deserving of recognition and support.
From an economic perspective, Anglican cathedrals contribute £235 million annually to local economies and support 6,000 jobs. Tourism generates an additional £128 million. Wilkinson reminded MPs that the value of these buildings is not just historical—it is a living asset continuing to benefit communities today.
Minister for Local Government and English Devolution Jim McMahon acknowledged these concerns and praised the social role churches play. He pledged that his department would consider the debate’s points ahead of the spending review, noting a £1.5 billion Plan for Neighbourhoods funding and a £23 million allocation for the current grant scheme. He pointed out that 94% of claims are under £25,000 but promised ministers would explore capital underspends to provide further support.
Despite these reassurances, the sustainability of many churches remains in doubt. Over the past decade, more than 3,500 churches have shut their doors; in Scotland, 40% face closure, and in Wales, nearly a quarter have already closed.
In closing, John Glen expressed gratitude to church leaders of all denominations and warned that without renewed support, Britain risks losing a vast and irreplaceable estate of community assets. “This is about more than just buildings,” he declared. “It’s about who we are as a nation, and the kind of support we offer our communities.”