Worshippers in Aldridge-Brownhills could face challenges maintaining their cherished places of worship, following significant cuts to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
Disappointingly, the Labour Government has decided to slash the scheme’s budget by £19 million whilst introducing a new annual cap of £25,000 per place of worship.
Churches across Aldridge-Brownhills are more than just a place of worship.
The network also provides a vital local community resource and the volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain these buildings do so with very little help. The grant scheme has been a vital lifeline, helping to cover the VAT costs of essential repairs. Labour’s decision to slash the budget and impose a cap will have a devastating impact on places of worship that serve our community in so many ways.
I will continue to urge the Government to reverse these damaging cuts and recognise the catastrophic impact they will have on our heritage and community life.