The future of the listed places of worship scheme continues to feature heavily during Question Time, and over 200 Members have raised this issue. Faith communities with listed buildings are waiting for clarity on the future of the scheme, which is due to end in March. The uncertainty is delaying repairs and the implementation of community projects nationwide. I met the Minister for Heritage just before Christmas and was assured that the Government would be updating the House soon.
I have had the privilege over the last 18 months of visiting many beautiful historic places of worship in Monmouthshire, including St James’s, Llangua; Bettws Newydd church; St Mary’s priory; and St Tewdric’s, which dates back to 600 AD. The listed places scheme is a lifeline for volunteers and charities, such as the amazing Friends of Friendless Churches, that look after buildings like Llanddewi Rhydderch Baptist chapel, which needs the scheme to fix its roof. Can my hon. Friend please update me on any discussions the Church Commissioners have recently had with the Government on this issue?
It is good to hear how the scheme has benefited churches in my hon. Friend’s constituency. While I am not responsible for the Church in Wales, I can inform her that Wales has a significantly higher proportion of listed places of worship than England, and most buildings are in areas of low economic activity and there are fewer opportunities for philanthropy. I would be happy to put her in touch with the relevant people in Wales, so she can continue to engage with them. As I have highlighted, I met the Minister recently and was assured that the Government would bring forward plans soon.
Whatever one’s faith, the historic churches in North East Hertfordshire are an incredible part of our local heritage. They are places of peace and beauty, ever-present reminders of centuries of our history and a focal point for village life, providing space for social activities and community life in what feels like an increasingly fragmented society. Does my hon. Friend agree that the Government must do everything they can to support parishes with the huge challenge of maintaining our historic churches so that they can continue to enrich our lives for generations to come?
I agree with my hon. Friend that historic churches are often cornerstones of our local communities. Even if members of a community are not regular churchgoers, they also see those churches as places they can call their own and identify with. People gather in those spaces for different events, whether that is for concerts or major life events like weddings, and all candidates have to attend them for election hustings. We all know how important our historical buildings are, and their estimated social value is £55 billion. With every investment of £1 in the Church, a return of £16 goes into the local community through outreach and community support. I am pleased that the Government will be publishing the evaluation report of the listed places of worship scheme soon.
Does the hon. Lady agree that there are practical consequences flowing from the failure of the—[Interruption.]
Order. When entering the Chamber, hon. Members must be aware that there is a debate taking place.
Does the hon. Lady accept that there are practical consequences flowing from the intolerable delay in the Government making an announcement about the scheme? For example, repairs are under way at All Saints church in Mudeford and at Christchurch priory, and the consequence of the Government not doing anything about this scheme will be hundreds of thousands of pounds of extra costs for those churches.
The hon. Member is right that any further delay will continue to bring uncertainty to many churches across the country, so this is really important. I am reassured that the Government will come forward with plans soon, as the Secretary of State said during Department for Culture, Media and Sport questions prior to Church Commissioners questions.
In Rutland, Stamford and the Harborough villages, we are fortunate to have one of the highest numbers of listed places of worship in the country, from Teigh to Tixover to All Saints’ in Stamford. Does the Church Commissioner agree that we cannot allow these amazing places to fall into collapse or to lose them? Once they are lost to our communities, our communities really are the ones who lose out.
The hon. Lady will not be surprised to hear that, of course, I agree with her.