Christian Democracy UK Launches 'Save Our Churches' Campaign to Combat Government's Assault on Britain's Christian Heritage
Christian Democracy UK Launches 'Save Our Churches' Campaign to Combat Government's Assault on Britain's Christian Heritage
Christian Democracy UK today announced the launch of its nationwide 'Save Our Churches' campaign, a urgent call to action against the UK Government's decision to terminate the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (LPWGS) and eliminate VAT relief on essential repairs for historic churches. This policy shift, effective from April 1, 2026, imposes a crippling 20% tax burden on congregations already struggling to maintain these vital community anchors, signalling a broader governmental pivot away from supporting traditional Christian institutions in favour of other priorities.
The LPWGS, which has provided over £300 million in grants since 2014 to reimburse VAT on repairs for listed places of worship, will end on March 31, 2026, after exhausting its final £23 million budget. While the Government has introduced a £92 million Places of Worship Renewal Fund over four years, limited to England and operating as a competitive grant scheme rather than an automatic rebate, it falls far short of compensating for the lost VAT relief. Historic churches, which form the overwhelming majority of the UK's 20,000+ listed places of worship, will now face immediate financial strain, potentially leading to closures, neglect, and the erosion of Britain's Christian architectural legacy.
"This is not just a fiscal adjustment; it's a deliberate turning point where the Government is abandoning the foundations of our nation's Christian identity," said Max Stenner, Founder of Christian Democracy UK.
"For over two decades, the LPWGS has safeguarded our churches, symbols of community, charity, and centuries-old faith. Now, as rural parishes led by volunteers grapple with a 20% hike in repair costs, the same Government is funnelling up to £40 million into protective security for mosques and Muslim community centres alone in 2026-27. While security is important, this disparity exposes a clear bias: Christian institutions are being deprioritised, taxed more heavily, and left to fend for themselves amid rising maintenance costs and declining attendance."
The campaign highlights how the end of VAT relief disproportionately impacts Christian churches, which account for the bulk of claims under the previous scheme. In contrast, non-Christian sites, though fewer in number, have often received larger average grants when applying. However, with the new fund's bureaucratic application process and uncertain coverage of VAT costs, many small congregations fear they will be sidelined. This comes amid a £73.4 million security package where mosques receive the largest share (£40 million), Jewish sites £28.4 million, and all other faiths; including Christians, sharing just £5 million, underscoring what Christian Democracy UK describes as an inequitable allocation that neglects the unique vulnerabilities of historic churches to vandalism, theft, and decay.
The 'Save Our Churches' campaign will mobilise supporters through petitions, local rallies, and advocacy in Parliament to demand the reinstatement of VAT relief and equitable funding for Christian heritage sites. It calls on MPs, faith leaders, and the public to join in preserving these irreplaceable assets, which serve not only as places of worship but as hubs for food banks, youth programs, and cultural events.
About Christian Democracy UK
Christian Democracy UK is a pressure group founded in 2025 to promote Christian values in mainstream politics. Rooted in principles of human dignity, social justice, and traditional conservatism, it advocates for policies that strengthen families, communities, and the nation's Christian heritage.
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