The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee has urged the government to extend the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, highlighting the role churches play as vital community hubs.

The scheme allows churches that are listed buildings to claim up to £25,000, to cover VAT on repair costs.

The Committee is calling for the scheme to be made permanent, and for the £25,000 cap on claims to be lifted.

Chair Dame Caroline Dinenage said: “The scheme is welcome recognition of the role of churches and their contribution to our heritage, but without certainty over its future, many repair and refurbishment projects are at risk of never getting off the ground.”

The Church of England, which owns 45 per cent of the UK’s Grade I listed buildings, has welcomed the calls.

Last week, the Church of England’s Director for Cathedral and Church Buildings, Emily Gee, and a former Director for Cathedral and Church Buildings, the Revd Paula Griffiths, gave evidence to the Committee.

Ms Gee said she is “delighted” that the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee has acted “so swiftly” to support the scheme.

She called it a “lifeline” for churches, saying: “The hard-working volunteers and clergy who care for historic church buildings urgently need the confidence of ongoing, reliable sources of funding.

“As one diocese said: ‘funding into built heritage will multiply to wider community benefits that can ease funding elsewhere… VAT relief for a listed church is also often VAT relief for a food pantry, youth work and mental health groups.’”