In March Chancellor George Osborne announced measures to remove the current zero rate of VAT on approved alterations to listed buildings, through which he hopes to raise £85m in 2013-14, rising to £125m in 2016-17. The Treasury insists it is correcting an anomaly which allows ‘a millionaire to install a swimming pool in his listed mansion VAT-free.’

Nevertheless, the planned change would significantly increase the cost of all improvements (although VAT allowances would continue for repairs), and has led to a chorus of disapproval from both the Christian community and those involved in the maintenance of affected buildings.

The Heritage Alliance is actively campaigning against the change, while a number of e-petitions

have been created, including one initiated by staff at the Church of England Cathedral and Church Buildings Division. http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/32229

The Baptist Union of Great Britain is encouraging people to sign this petition, and in a statement on its website it said Baptist churches with listed buildings will be ‘badly affected’ if the proposal becomes law.

The Revd Jonathan Edwards, general secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, has also written to the Chancellor and Ed Vaizey, the MP for Didcot.

Their calls are backed by Union Street Baptist Church in Crewe. The church – which is based in a Grade II-listed Victorian premises  – has progressively been upgrading its access and facilities over a number of years.

Last year it decided to embark on another round of work to improve its catering and reception facilities for its community use.
When Mr Osborne made his announcement, the church originally thought it would have to find a further £8,700 in VAT.

Now it understands that because the work is scheduled for completion before the change is implemented in October, the current building phase will continue to be zero-rated.Nevertheless, any future work which will be affected.

‘That 'less bleak' picture doesn't lessen our dislike of the Chancellor's proposal to remove zero-rating on approved alterations to listed churches,’ said Malcolm Riley, church deacon and property steward.

‘The fund-raising involved in finding 20 per cent VAT is a huge challenge to congregations who are trying – through voluntary giving – to sensitively upgrade their listed churches to meet access and accommodation requirements for the 21st century, not just for convenience of their present members, but to ensure a viable and attractive future for their listed building as part of the nation's heritage.

‘When we at USBC are in a position to pursue the further phase of our building development scheme, no doubt we will have that increased VAT hurdle before us if the Chancellor is unrepentant in his proposal.’

Visit The Heritage Alliance http://www.theheritagealliance.org.uk/ for more information