PRESS RELEASE
Labour’s Worship Tax
Worshippers across Fareham and Waterlooville could be forced to find somewhere new to practice their religion thanks to a new Labour tax.
The Labour Government has decided to introduce a Worship Tax by slashing the budget of the Listed Places of Worship Scheme by £19 million – leaving almost 1,000 buildings across the country at risk.
Listed places of worship such as Holy Trinity Church in Fareham and Sacred Heart Church in Waterlooville could now be at risk.
The previous Conservative Government took action to protect the nation’s churches and places of worship, by returning £346 million to listed churches, synagogues, mosques and temples between 2010 and 2024. This provided listed places of worship up to £42 million per year of support toward repairing roofs, masonry and monuments integral to the buildings.
However, following months of uncertainty, Labour have announced their decision to slash the Listed Places of Worship Scheme’s annual funding from £42 million to £23 million and to introduce a cap on the amount individual places of worship can claim. This will have a disastrous impact on churches and other places of worship across the UK.
During this period of uncertainty, many churches have already put off vital repairs and projects in fear of getting a tax bill, and now face a smaller funding pot and a limit on the support they can receive.
Among those opposing the Worship Tax is Conservative MP for Fareham and Waterlooville, Suella Braverman, who says Labour’s political choice to tax places of worship will have a devasting impact on churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship at the heart of our community.
‘Churches and other historic places of worship aren’t just part of our shared heritage – they are the beating heart of the community,’ she said.
‘The brilliant volunteers who look after them, protecting them for future generations, do so with very little help. That’s why the Listed Places of Worship Scheme is such a vital lifeline.’
‘Labour withheld their plans to slash the schemes funding for months, and their decision to impose a Worship Tax by slashing the scheme’s budget will hammer places of worship that give so much to our constituency’
‘Labour must recognise their decisions will have a catastrophic impact on the country’s heritage,’ she added.
ENDS
Rt Hon Suella Braverman KC MP
Member of Parliament for Fareham and Waterlooville
Tom Davies
Chairman, Fareham and Waterlooville Conservative Association
