{"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/764991.json"},"data":{"type":"petition","id":764991,"attributes":{"action":"Government to maintain VAT relief on repairs for historic churches","background":"We urgently call on the Government to maintain the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (LPWGS) and VAT relief on church repairs. Not doing so, we believe, adds a 20% tax burden on struggling congregations, threatening historic churches and signalling reduced support for Christian institutions.","additional_details":"The LPWGS, which has provided £300m+ since 2014 to cover VAT on repairs, ended on March 31, 2026 after its final £23m was spent. A new £92m fund over four years, limited to England and competitive, falls short of what is needed. We believe historic churches will as a result face financial strain, risking closures, neglect, and loss of heritage.","committee_note":"","state":"open","signature_count":96,"created_at":"2026-03-21T13:40:47.784Z","updated_at":"2026-04-30T12:31:10.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2026-04-21T08:29:40.577Z","closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2026-03-21T14:24:10.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":null,"government_response_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":"Max Stenner","rejection":null,"government_response":null,"debate":null,"departments":[{"acronym":"DCMS","name":"Department for Culture, Media and Sport","url":""},{"acronym":"HMT","name":"HM Treasury","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-treasury"}],"topics":[],"signatures_by_country":[{"name":"United Kingdom","code":"GB","signature_count":96}],"signatures_by_constituency":[{"name":"Altrincham and Sale 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