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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Will Durrant

Minister swerves ‘cultural mutilation’ claim as church VAT scheme extended

York Minster in North Yorkshire (Danny Lawson/PA) - (PA Archive)

Scrapping a grant scheme for churches and cathedrals would amount to “cultural, social and spiritual mutilation”, an MP has said.

The Government on Wednesday extended its listed places of worship grant scheme, which applies to historic buildings from all faiths and allows leaders to claim back VAT costs on repairs and renovations, into March 2026.

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