Bell tolls for churches' tax relief

REPAIRS to church clocks, pews, bells and organs will no longer qualify for tax relief, the government announced yesterday.

Culture minister John Penrose said VAT on repairs to fixtures and fittings could no longer be claimed back by places of worship, due to government efficiency savings.

The Listed Places of Worship grant scheme currently allows churches, of any faith or denomination, to claim a grant equal to the VAT that has to be paid on eligible works.

Mr Penrose said yesterday the scheme would now exclude clocks, bells, organs, pews and professional services such as architects' fees.

The future of the scheme beyond this financial year will become clear in the comprehensive spending review, which is due on 20 October.

Mr Penrose said: "Everyone is being asked to make savings, so I'm afraid we cannot exclude this scheme, however much I would like to.

"We asked representatives of the major denominations how they would prefer the savings to be made, and it was agreed that reducing the scope was the least damaging option for making savings, whilst still allowing claims for all other sorts of work."