Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 5 August 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the closure of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme on listed places of worship in Scotland, including any additional costs faced by congregations undertaking repairs and maintenance.
The Scottish Government recognises the concerns from both faith groups and heritage organisations following the decision of the UK Government to close the UK-wide Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. As soon as we were aware of this decision we strongly encouraged the UK Government to rethink their policy position.
We have engaged with key stakeholders, and Historic Environment Scotland to understand the implications for Scotland's listed places of worship. The previous scheme enabled eligible organisations to recover the equivalent of VAT incurred on repairs and maintenance, and its closure may increase costs for congregations undertaking essential works. We are aware that many places of worship face financial pressures, and we continue to assess potential options for support.