HC Deb 22 January 2003 vol 398 c408W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to alter VAT rates on the restoration of buildings. [91990]

John Healey

The Government's long-term objective is to secure a reduced rate of VAT for the repair and maintenance of listed buildings that are used as places of worship, which are currently not permitted under long-standing formal European agreements with our European partners. In Budget 2001, the Chancellor announced that the European Commission has indicated that it will review its reduced rates for VAT in 2003. In the meantime, the Government have introduced a grant scheme to run in the interim period, until the review has been completed.