The scheme will close to all new applications at 23:59 on 31 March 2026. Claims submitted after this date will not be processed. Please note that the 2025/26 scheme is subject to a total budget of £23 million. If this budget is exhausted before 31 March, the scheme will be closed when it ends, or when the budget runs out, whichever is earlier.
It is possible that claims could be put into the Department before it has become clear the budget is exhausted. In that instance, claims received will be worked through in the order received, and those that are processed after the budget is exhausted will not be paid. If the application is put in for more funding than remains, only part of the claim would be paid. The applicant will be made aware.
The Government has set out its reason for ending the scheme in a Written Ministerial Statement in Parliament on 21 January 2026.
Places of worship should continue to submit claims under the existing grant scheme for all eligible work completed and invoiced before 23:59 on 31 March 2026. Applicants are able to invoice for individual works completed rather than wait for the whole project to be completed.
The deadline of 23:59 on 31 March 2026 is a firm cut-off; the £23m funding is only available for this financial year which ends on 31 March 2026. We encourage all applicants to submit claims promptly throughout the final year, rather than waiting until the March deadline.
