Tsunami of churches face closure after funding cut

Labour accused of letting cultural treasures rot

- By Eleanor Burleigh

A “TSUNAMI” of church closures could be on the way because the Government slashed VAT relief for vital repairs on “the crown jewels” of our nation's heritage.

Churches hold the country's largest collection of art, sculpture and stained glass, and make up half of England's Grade-I listed buildings.

But one in 20 could be forced to shut by the end of the decade.

A survey conducted by The National Churches Trust charity, revealed at a conference at London's Victoria and Albert Museum last week, showed that around 2,000 churches will definitely or probably close their doors by 2030 - largely due to repair costs.