Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, is inviting individuals and communities responsible for looking after listed places of worship in Wealden to consider applying for a share of £42 million funding from the Government’s Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

Listed places of worship represent some of the nation’s finest heritage, and the Government recognises that there are particular challenges when looking after such cherished and historic buildings. The grant scheme aims to redress financial shortfalls, and to support the country’s listed and protected architecture for the benefit of present and future generations.

The scheme provides grants towards the VAT paid on repairs and maintenance to listed places of worship of any religious group or denomination. The scheme presently handles around 7,000 claims per year, and applies to the whole United Kingdom.

To find out how to benefit from the scheme, please visit https://listed-places-of-worship-grant.dcms.gov.uk, which sets out the criteria for eligibility and details of how to apply. The building’s sole or main use must be as a public place of worship, and it must be used for this at least six times a year.

Nusrat Ghani said: “Places of worship are at the heart of many Wealden communities, bringing people of all ages together. I’m pleased that some listed places of worship in Wealden have already benefited from the scheme and received a total of £73,539 in funding since August 2022. The scheme continues to be open for applications and I would like to encourage other Wealden individuals and communities responsible for looking after listed places of worship to consider applying.”