Hornchurch & Upminster MP, Julia Lopez, has defended Havering’s heritage buildings as the Labour government confirmed that funds to repair ancient churches will be slashed, after months of uncertainty.
The decision has been branded a ‘worship tax’ as it puts at risks the futures of some of the country’s most important faith buildings. The previous Government provided listed places of worship up to £42 million per year of support toward repairing roofs, masonry and monuments integral to the buildings – a scheme Labour Ministers are now cutting by £19 million. The decision leaves over 1000 buildings at risk nationally, including Havering churches like All Saints, Cranham, St. Thomas, Noak Hill, St. Mary Magdalene, North Ockendon, St. Andrew, Hornchurch, and St. Laurence, Upminster.
Mrs Lopez said:
‘Churches and other historic places of worship aren’t just part of our shared heritage – they are at the heart of our communities’
‘The brilliant volunteers who keep them open now and for future generations, do so with very little help. That’s why the Listed Places of Worship Scheme was always such a vital lifeline.’
‘Labour withheld their plans to cut the scheme’s funding for months, and their decision effectively to impose a Worship Tax will make it much harder to fund repairs of our beautiful Havering churches.’
Mrs Lopez has worked with several local groups to protect Havering’s heritage. This month she visited Upminster’s tithe barn as restoration works near their completion thanks to partnership between the Historic England and National Highways. Once complete, it will add to an emerging heritage corridor with the newly restored Upminster Windmill, whose volunteer drive Mrs Lopez has backed. She has also been working with the Friends of Langtons to unlock grant funding for their bathhouse restoration project.
Mrs Lopez was formerly a Minister in the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, during which time Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch received listing, alongside the Hornchurch War Memorial. She has also worked with volunteers at the RAF Hornchurch Museum to recognise the area’s important role in protecting London during the Second World War.
As a result of the increased focus on the borough’s heritage, National Highways is funding a dedicated Heritage Officer for Havering Council and Mrs Lopez is consulting with Historic England on blue plaques for the area – including potentially for Upminster resident and famous punk rocker, Ian Dury.
