5:50am Saturday 20th March 2010
Churches are being urged to join a campaign calling for VAT refunds on repairs to listed buildings to continue.
Listed churches can reclaim from the Government all of the VAT on the majority of their repair works, but the system, which has been running for a decade, is up for review in March next year.
Cathy Roberts, secretary of the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches, said: “If the scheme ends it will make the situation considerably more difficult for parishes facing extensive repair work.”
Churches are mounting a major effort to keep the scheme.
Places of Worship at The Heritage Alliance (POW Alliance) has joined forces with the Church of England and English Heritage in the campaign.
Mrs Roberts added: “It will be a tough fight to keep it and we all need to fight for it. Please sign the petition on the 10 Downing Street website now and encourage everyone to do the same as quickly as possible.”
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