Rev'd Paula Griffiths speaks to Parliamentary Committee

The Rev'd Paula Griffiths appeared on Tuesday 15 July 2025 in the House of Commons to give evidence to the DCMS Select Committee, who are carrying out an Inquiry into Protecting Built Heritage. This particular session was looking specifically at listed places of worship and the pressures on them.

Paula says “I was very glad to be invited to speak to the Committee, and to answer their questions about listed churches and explain the pressures such churches face as well as emphasising the crucial work they do for the community. I particularly stressed the difficulties many churches have faced - including St Mary’s - resulting from the sudden changes to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (VAT reclaim scheme) and the cap on the amount which can be claimed. I felt the Committee members were interested and sympathetic, though we shan’t know the outcome of the Inquiry probably until 2026. Thank you to all of you who helped me prepare with your facts, figures and your own experiences.”

Appearing with Paula on the panel were (centre) Emily Gee, Director for Cathedral and Church Buildings in the Church of England’s national offices, and (to the right of the picture) Becky Payne, Development Director of The Historic Religious Buildings Alliance.  Click on the image to enlarge.

A video recording of the session, available until mid August,  can be seen at https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/3445d2af-3432-497e-a5cb-d45a80b2e947

Latest News: 27 July 2025 - "Following the session last week, the Chair of the Committee has now written to the Minister at DCMS urging her to make the LPWGS (VAT reclaim scheme) permanent, and remove the cap - quoting some of the evidence from the session."