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1666715
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2023-10-23more like thismore than 2023-10-23
answering body
Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept id 9 more like this
answering dept short name Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept sort name Church Commissioners remove filter
hansard heading Clergy: Marriage more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, whether there are recorded majorities in the (a) House and (b) College of Bishops to (i) allow clergy to enter into same-sex civil marriages and (ii) remove the stipulation that currently requires celibacy for clergy in same-sex relationships. more like this
tabling member constituency Exeter more like this
tabling member printed
Mr Ben Bradshaw more like this
uin 203744 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2023-10-26more like thismore than 2023-10-26
answer text <p>The proceedings of these meetings of the House of Bishops and College of Bishops, including details of votes, are confidential. Both the College and the House decided that further work should be done on allowing clergy to enter into same sex marriages, and on the stipulation that currently requires celibacy for clergy in same-sex relationships. It is stated in the General Synod papers (GS2328 and annexes: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-10/gs-2328-llf-nov-2023.pdf" target="_blank">gs-2328-llf-nov-2023.pdf (churchofengland.org)</a> ), that there is ‘further work on the Ministry elements of the Pastoral Guidance including on clergy in same-sex marriages’. It is hoped that this work will be done as quickly as is possible.</p> more like this
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
question first answered
less than 2023-10-26T10:53:57.537Zmore like thismore than 2023-10-26T10:53:57.537Z
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
tabling member
230
label Biography information for Mr Ben Bradshaw more like this
1666717
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2023-10-23more like thismore than 2023-10-23
answering body
Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept id 9 more like this
answering dept short name Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept sort name Church Commissioners remove filter
hansard heading Marriage: Homosexuality more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, whether a further letter threatening legal action was sent to the (a) House and (b) College of Bishops between the end of the meeting of the College and the House meeting in October. more like this
tabling member constituency Exeter more like this
tabling member printed
Mr Ben Bradshaw more like this
uin 203745 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2023-10-26more like thismore than 2023-10-26
answer text <p>Several items of correspondence were received over this period from a number of groups with different views, reflecting differing legal and theological opinions, as is widely in the public domain. Some offered a legal opinion on the routes of commendation or authorisation for the Prayers of Love and Faith, but I am not aware that any directly threatened the recipients with legal action.</p> more like this
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
question first answered
less than 2023-10-26T11:01:21.977Zmore like thismore than 2023-10-26T11:01:21.977Z
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
tabling member
230
label Biography information for Mr Ben Bradshaw more like this
1666082
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2023-10-19more like thismore than 2023-10-19
answering body
Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept id 9 more like this
answering dept short name Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept sort name Church Commissioners remove filter
hansard heading Church of England: Gaza and Israel more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what support the Church of England has provided to (a) churches and (b) other people in (i) Israel and (ii) Gaza since 7 October 2023. more like this
tabling member constituency York Central more like this
tabling member printed
Rachael Maskell more like this
uin 203517 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2023-10-24more like thismore than 2023-10-24
answer text <p>Following the events of 7th October, the Archbishops of York and Canterbury called on Christians, and people of all faiths and none, to pray for the victims of the terrorist attacks by Hamas and for the innocent affected by the conflict.</p><p>The Archbishop of Canterbury visited Jerusalem, from 19<sup>th</sup> – 22<sup>nd</sup> October 2023, to stand in prayerful solidarity with the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem following damage to the Al-Ahli Hospital and to show pastoral care and support to all those affected by the war. During the visit, the Archbishop met with those who had lost loved ones as a result of the 7 October attacks. Several dioceses are supporting humanitarian appeals to support the ongoing work of the Al–Ahli Hospital.</p><p>The Archbishop of Canterbury’s most recent comments on the issue of Israel and Gaza can be found here: <a href="https://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/news/news-and-statements" target="_blank">https://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/news/news-and-statements</a></p>
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
question first answered
less than 2023-10-24T12:16:47.88Zmore like thismore than 2023-10-24T12:16:47.88Z
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
tabling member
4471
label Biography information for Rachael Maskell more like this
1663006
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2023-10-13more like thismore than 2023-10-13
answering body
Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept id 9 more like this
answering dept short name Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept sort name Church Commissioners remove filter
hansard heading Church of England: Finance more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, with reference to the Answer of 19 September 2023 to Question 198286 and to recommendation 5 in Appendix 1 of Sir Robert Chote's review, whether the dioceses’ annual returns on Lowest Income Communities Funding funding for 2022 will be published. more like this
tabling member constituency Exeter more like this
tabling member printed
Mr Ben Bradshaw more like this
uin 200860 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2023-10-25more like thismore than 2023-10-25
answer text <p>A summary analysis of dioceses’ returns on their use of the Lowest Income Communities Funding in 2022 will be published next year in the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board’s 2023 annual report to the Archbishops’ Council, which will be made publicly available as a General Synod (Misc) paper and on the Church of England website.</p><p> </p><p>A summary analysis of dioceses’ returns on their use of the Lowest Income Communities Funding in 2021 was published in the Strategic Investment Board’s 2022 annual report to the Archbishops’ Council, which was published as a General Synod (Misc) paper and is available on the Church of England website at: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/final-version-2022-sib-annual-report-for-synod.pdf" target="_blank">final-version-2022-sib-annual-report-for-synod.pdf (churchofengland.org)</a> (page 14 refers to the relevant information).</p> more like this
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
question first answered
less than 2023-10-25T14:23:43.2Zmore like thismore than 2023-10-25T14:23:43.2Z
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
tabling member
230
label Biography information for Mr Ben Bradshaw more like this
1663443
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2023-10-13more like thismore than 2023-10-13
answering body
Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept id 9 more like this
answering dept short name Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept sort name Church Commissioners remove filter
hansard heading Church of England: Finance more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Commissioners are taking to ensure the Lowest Income Communities Funding meets the objective of assisting clergy and parishes in hardest to reach communities. more like this
tabling member constituency East Londonderry more like this
tabling member printed
Mr Gregory Campbell more like this
uin 201297 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2023-10-24more like thismore than 2023-10-24
answer text <p>The Independent Review of Lowest Income Communities Funding and Strategic Development Funding led by Sir Robert Chote was published in March 2022 and can be read here: <em><a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2022-03/irls-final-report-2.pdf%20" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2022-03/irls-final-report-2.pdf </a></em></p><p>In respect of meeting the objective of assisting clergy and parishes in hardest to reach communities the Review recommended:</p><ul><li>Recommendation 2 - &quot;Refocusing annual returns … towards more strategic reporting&quot;.</li><li>Recommendation 3 - asked staff to &quot;identify and promote best practice … perhaps convening a learning symposium&quot;.</li><li>Recommendation 5 – asked staff to &quot;communicate more clearly the extent to which LInC funding is sustaining ministry&quot;.</li></ul><p>The action taken so far by the Archbishops' Council's Vision and Strategy team in response to those recommendations has been to:</p><ul><li>Raise the profile of LInC funding within ongoing strategic conversations between its staff and diocesan teams, as part of dioceses' strategic development processes, with the aim of improving its effectiveness.</li><li>Ask dioceses to give information about the intended outcomes from their planned use of LInC funding, together with how they will be measured, as part of their annual return on LInC funding for 2022.</li><li>Plan a learning event to bring together diocesan representatives to share and develop their approaches on the use of LInC funding, aiming to improve the effectiveness, accountability and transparency of LInC funding.</li></ul><p>From the start of 2023, the new Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board (SMMIB), a committee of the Archbishops' Council, has replaced the previous Strategic Investment Board and Strategic Ministry Board. It distributes and monitors funds made available by the Church Commissioners and Archbishops' Council via LInC, SDF, and other similar funds.</p><p>More information about the role the SMMIB plays can be found here: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/media-and-news/press-releases/new-board-oversee-unprecedented-church-england-investment-mission-and" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/media-and-news/press-releases/new-board-oversee-unprecedented-church-england-investment-mission-and</a></p>
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
question first answered
less than 2023-10-24T12:18:10.083Zmore like thismore than 2023-10-24T12:18:10.083Z
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
tabling member
1409
label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell more like this
1659195
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2023-09-07more like thismore than 2023-09-07
answering body
Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept id 9 more like this
answering dept short name Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept sort name Church Commissioners remove filter
hansard heading Church of England: Finance more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, with reference to Review of Lowest Income Communities and Strategic Development Funding, published in March 2022, what steps the Church Commissioners have taken to implement new governance arrangements to ensure that Lowest Incomes Communities Funding is distributed to dioceses by the Archbishops’ Council is accounted for (a) effectively and (b) transparently. more like this
tabling member constituency Exeter more like this
tabling member printed
Mr Ben Bradshaw more like this
uin 198286 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2023-09-19more like thismore than 2023-09-19
answer text <p>The Independent Review of Lowest Income Communities Funding and Strategic Development Funding led by Sir Robert Chote was published in March 2022 and can be read here: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2022-03/irls-final-report-2.pdf" target="_blank"><strong><em>https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2022-03/irls-final-report-2.pdf</em></strong></a></p><p>In respect of improving governance arrangements of Lowest Income Communities Funding (LInC) the Review recommended:</p><ul><li>Recommendation 2 - &quot;Refocusing annual returns … towards more strategic reporting&quot;.</li><li>Recommendation 3 - asked staff to &quot;identify and promote best practice … perhaps convening a learning symposium&quot;.</li><li>Recommendation 5 – asked staff to &quot;communicate more clearly the extent to which LInC funding is sustaining ministry&quot;.</li></ul><p>The action taken so far by the Archbishops' Council's Vision and Strategy team in response to those recommendations has been to:</p><ul><li>Raise the profile of LInC funding within ongoing strategic conversations between its staff and diocesan teams, as part of dioceses' strategic development processes, with the aim of improving its effectiveness.</li><li>Ask dioceses to give information about the intended outcomes from their planned use of LInC funding, together with how they will be measured, as part of their annual return on LInC funding for 2022.</li><li>Plan a learning event to bring together diocesan representatives to share and develop their approaches on the use of LInC funding, aiming to improve the effectiveness, accountability and transparency of LInC funding.</li></ul><p>The Independent Review also made further suggestions in Recommendation 1: &quot;encouraging dioceses to use LInC funding more for clergy transitions&quot; and in Recommendation 4: &quot;maintaining current levels of LInC funding&quot;. While not related directly to governance, these may also feature in the learning event and in ongoing conversations with dioceses.</p><p>From the start of 2023, the new Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board (SMMIB), a committee of the Archbishops' Council, has replaced the previous Strategic Investment Board and Strategic Ministry Board. It distributes and monitors funds made available by the Church Commissioners and Archbishops' Council via LInC, SDF, and other similar funds.</p><p>The Boards of the Archbishops’ Council and the Church Commissioners are regularly updated by the SMMIB about funding decisions and projects supported by these funds. Members of the Archbishops’ Council and Church Commissioners Boards are part of the SMMIB and help monitor funding decisions and spending. The SMMIB will also provide an annual report to the General Synod.</p><p>More information about the role the SMMIB plays can be found here: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/media-and-news/press-releases/new-board-oversee-unprecedented-church-england-investment-mission-and" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/media-and-news/press-releases/new-board-oversee-unprecedented-church-england-investment-mission-and</a></p>
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
question first answered
less than 2023-09-19T16:02:06.05Zmore like thismore than 2023-09-19T16:02:06.05Z
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
tabling member
230
label Biography information for Mr Ben Bradshaw more like this
1656004
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2023-09-01more like thismore than 2023-09-01
answering body
Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept id 9 more like this
answering dept short name Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept sort name Church Commissioners remove filter
hansard heading Church of England: Derelict Land more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church of England is taking to release brownfield sites within its Estate to the Church Housing Association to increase social housing. more like this
tabling member constituency Solihull more like this
tabling member printed
Julian Knight more like this
uin 196061 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2023-09-19more like thismore than 2023-09-19
answer text <p>Following the ‘Coming Home’ report published by the Archbishops’ Housing Commission, the Bishop of Chelmsford (as Lead Bishop for Housing) has been working with colleagues from across the Church, including the Church Commissioners, to implement the recommendations from that report. This work includes plans to establish a Church Housing Association. As and when that Housing Association is in place we hope there will be scope for the Commissioners and other church land owners to be able to work in partnership with it to enable the construction of much-needed affordable homes.</p><p>At the same time, the Church Commissioners are exploring the potential to boost the supply of affordable homes on their own land through the provision of Rural Exception Sites within existing communities.</p><p>More information about the Archbishops’ Housing Commission, and its Report ‘Coming Home’, can be read here: <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.churchofengland.org%2Fabout%2Farchbishops-commissions%2Fhousing-church-and-community%2Fabout-coming-home&amp;data=05%7C01%7Crichard.chapman%40churchofengland.org%7C743208e83b2c45ca7b3108dbb83284db%7C95e2463b3ab047b49ac1587c77ee84f0%7C0%7C0%7C638306301073096308%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=1SAhRzdUgiChN0%2FtN0O803jj8sJGQFLqqWsRZeWfCkw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">About Coming Home | The Church of England</a>.</p><p>Information on the Church Commissioners’ approach to delivering land for housing can be found here <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.churchofengland.org%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2022-05%2Fupdated-strategic-land-statement_march-2022_0.pdf&amp;data=05%7C01%7Crichard.chapman%40churchofengland.org%7C743208e83b2c45ca7b3108dbb83284db%7C95e2463b3ab047b49ac1587c77ee84f0%7C0%7C0%7C638306301073096308%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ydYb0NBNsRfVlYG1OBHg03sWDKhu8sCePS62qs0REX4%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">New development – defining what matters (churchofengland.org)</a></p>
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
question first answered
less than 2023-09-19T15:57:38.627Zmore like thismore than 2023-09-19T15:57:38.627Z
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
tabling member
4410
label Biography information for Julian Knight more like this
1653938
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2023-07-18more like thismore than 2023-07-18
answering body
Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept id 9 more like this
answering dept short name Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept sort name Church Commissioners remove filter
hansard heading Churches: Closures more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, how many churches have been closed by the Church of England in each of the last 10 years. more like this
tabling member constituency Ealing Central and Acton more like this
tabling member printed
Dr Rupa Huq more like this
uin 194796 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2023-09-12more like thismore than 2023-09-12
answer text <p>Between 2010 and 2019, 209 consecrated churches were formally closed, which amounted to just over 1%. Since the 1990s the rate of closure has remained steady at 20-25 per year out of a total of around 16,000 church buildings. It is important to note that new churches are also being built and that some congregations meet in other kinds of buildings.</p><p>More information can be found in the annual reports of the Church Commissioners, which are available in the House of Commons Library, or online here, in the sections for ‘Mission, Pastoral and Church Property’ or ‘Pastoral Administration’: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/about/leadership-and-governance/church-commissioners-england/how-we-are-governed/publications" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/about/leadership-and-governance/church-commissioners-england/how-we-are-governed/publications</a></p><p>Churches are first and foremost places of worship. The 2017 Taylor Review into sustainability of English Churches and Cathedrals ( <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/669667/Taylor_Review_Final.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/669667/Taylor_Review_Final.pdf</a> ) found that the Government could also enable the church to serve local communities better by reviewing planning law around listed buildings, to enable Local Authorities to think more imaginatively about diversification and wider use. For over a decade the Church of England’s own ‘open and sustainable churches’ programme, has encouraged churches to consider partnering with a wide variety of community resources (e.g. post offices, village shops, children’s play areas, credit unions, foodbanks, co-working spaces) in sharing space: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare/advice-and-guidance-church-buildings/sharing-your-building-and-finding" target="_blank">Sharing your building and finding partners | The Church of England</a></p>
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
question first answered
less than 2023-09-12T20:19:22.703Zmore like thismore than 2023-09-12T20:19:22.703Z
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
tabling member
4511
label Biography information for Dr Rupa Huq more like this
1653939
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2023-07-18more like thismore than 2023-07-18
answering body
Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept id 9 more like this
answering dept short name Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept sort name Church Commissioners remove filter
hansard heading Churches: Repairs and Maintenance more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what the Church of England's estimate is of the capital cost of outstanding repairs for parish churches. more like this
tabling member constituency Ealing Central and Acton more like this
tabling member printed
Dr Rupa Huq more like this
uin 194797 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2023-09-12more like thismore than 2023-09-12
answer text <p>The National Church Institutions do not hold statistics on outstanding repairs for parish churches, collectively or by diocese.</p><p>The Church Commissioners and Archbishops' Council have agreed funding of £11 million for 2023-25 in support of Buildings for Mission, which includes £2m for places of worship maintenance/repairs, and funding for up to 20 support officers to work with communities on the care of their church buildings. This is alongside a one-off commitment of £190 million (over nine years) to support the whole Church, including its buildings, in the transition towards Net Zero 2030.</p><p>12,500 church buildings are listed, with 45% of all England's Grade I listed buildings being cathedrals and churches. The average annual cost for the maintenance and repairs to parish churches alone is estimated at £150 million, and the maintenance of our churches across the country is mostly financed by generous local donors and volunteers. Support and advice, including on available grants, is available from ChurchCare: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare(opens in a new tab)</a></p><p>The Church remains grateful for the continuation of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme as it was for the Culture Recovery Fund. Money invested in church buildings has positive benefits to the wider community: the 2021 House of Good report by the National Churches Trust (<a href="https://www.houseofgood.nationalchurchestrust.org/" target="_blank">https://www.houseofgood.nationalchurchestrust.org/(opens in a new tab)</a>) found that &quot;the annual social and economic value of church buildings to the UK is worth around £55 billion. This sum, calculated using the latest HM Treasury Green Book guidance, includes the contribution churches make to wellbeing and to local economies.&quot;</p><p>By means of an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill in the House of Lords, the Government has recently agreed to make it clear that churches are legally able to access Local Authority grant funding. This clarification is very welcome and comes in response to many years of advocacy by church, heritage and Local Authority groups. The removal of ambiguity means that Local Authorities and parish councils in England will enable seed funding to repair, restore and upgrade facilities, helping churches to continue to serve their local communities as worship spaces, community hubs, and through social action projects.</p><p>The Church is committed to engaging with the Government on the implementation of the recommendations of the 2017 Taylor Review into the sustainability of church buildings (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-taylor-review-sustainability-of-english-churches-and-cathedrals" target="_blank">The Taylor Review: Sustainability of English Churches and Cathedrals - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab)</a>)</p>
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
grouped question UIN 194798 more like this
question first answered
less than 2023-09-12T20:25:15.14Zmore like thismore than 2023-09-12T20:25:15.14Z
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
tabling member
4511
label Biography information for Dr Rupa Huq more like this
1653940
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2023-07-18more like thismore than 2023-07-18
answering body
Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept id 9 more like this
answering dept short name Church Commissioners more like this
answering dept sort name Church Commissioners remove filter
hansard heading Churches: Repairs and Maintenance more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what the Church of England's estimate is of the capital cost of outstanding repairs for parish churches in each diocese. more like this
tabling member constituency Ealing Central and Acton more like this
tabling member printed
Dr Rupa Huq more like this
uin 194798 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2023-09-12more like thismore than 2023-09-12
answer text <p>The National Church Institutions do not hold statistics on outstanding repairs for parish churches, collectively or by diocese.</p><p>The Church Commissioners and Archbishops' Council have agreed funding of £11 million for 2023-25 in support of Buildings for Mission, which includes £2m for places of worship maintenance/repairs, and funding for up to 20 support officers to work with communities on the care of their church buildings. This is alongside a one-off commitment of £190 million (over nine years) to support the whole Church, including its buildings, in the transition towards Net Zero 2030.</p><p>12,500 church buildings are listed, with 45% of all England's Grade I listed buildings being cathedrals and churches. The average annual cost for the maintenance and repairs to parish churches alone is estimated at £150 million, and the maintenance of our churches across the country is mostly financed by generous local donors and volunteers. Support and advice, including on available grants, is available from ChurchCare: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare(opens in a new tab)</a></p><p>The Church remains grateful for the continuation of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme as it was for the Culture Recovery Fund. Money invested in church buildings has positive benefits to the wider community: the 2021 House of Good report by the National Churches Trust (<a href="https://www.houseofgood.nationalchurchestrust.org/" target="_blank">https://www.houseofgood.nationalchurchestrust.org/(opens in a new tab)</a>) found that &quot;the annual social and economic value of church buildings to the UK is worth around £55 billion. This sum, calculated using the latest HM Treasury Green Book guidance, includes the contribution churches make to wellbeing and to local economies.&quot;</p><p>By means of an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill in the House of Lords, the Government has recently agreed to make it clear that churches are legally able to access Local Authority grant funding. This clarification is very welcome and comes in response to many years of advocacy by church, heritage and Local Authority groups. The removal of ambiguity means that Local Authorities and parish councils in England will enable seed funding to repair, restore and upgrade facilities, helping churches to continue to serve their local communities as worship spaces, community hubs, and through social action projects.</p><p>The Church is committed to engaging with the Government on the implementation of the recommendations of the 2017 Taylor Review into the sustainability of church buildings (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-taylor-review-sustainability-of-english-churches-and-cathedrals" target="_blank">The Taylor Review: Sustainability of English Churches and Cathedrals - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab)</a>)</p>
answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire more like this
answering member printed Andrew Selous more like this
grouped question UIN 194797 more like this
question first answered
less than 2023-09-12T20:25:15.17Zmore like thismore than 2023-09-12T20:25:15.17Z
answering member
1453
label Biography information for Andrew Selous more like this
tabling member
4511
label Biography information for Dr Rupa Huq more like this