Calls to reverse a tax law that could see an ancient Kingston church hit with a half million pound tax bill have been backed by a member of the European parliament.

Peter Skinner MEP wrote to Chancellor George Osborne asking him to rethink removing VAT exemptions on listed building renovations, plans that could cost All Saints Parish Church £450,000.

Plans to build a community centre and give the grounds "a going over" at a cost of £8.7m may be delayed thanks to the new rules but are expected to go ahead, All Saints have said.

The Chancellor George Osborne proposes to abolish zero VAT for alterations to listed buildings meaning protected building will be charged at the standard rate of 20 per cent from October.

Mr Skinner, who represents the south east of England at the European Parliament, said Kingston’s unique architectural heritage in must be protected.

The Labour MEP said: “All Saints Parish Church is a unique historical landmark that should be preserved.

“Bumping up VAT on listed buildings to paper over the cracks in George Osborne’s economic plan is a short term fix for which we will pay a high price in lost architectural heritage.

"Lots of small specialist firms could also suffer as work dries up. I want the Chancellor to preserve All Saints Parish Church, protect our history and support small businesses by reversing this short-sighted VAT increase.”

Reverend Jonathan Wilkes said he was "delighted" Mr Skinner had joined the campaign.

He said: “We are continuing to express as much and as widely the impact of these proposals so I am delighted a prominent politician has added his voice to our cause.

“Considering the Church of England looks after 45 percent of the grade one listed buildings in the country it is almost like we are being taxed to look after the nation’s heritage.

“That is why we must continue to shout as loud as we can in the hope the Chancellor will hear us.”

A spokesman for the HMRC said money was available from a Department for Culture, Media and Sport scheme to help places of worship recover the VAT on repairs.

To join a petition against the changes please visit epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/32229 The church is selling tiles for their new floor in a bid to raise money for the renovations.

The tiles cost £25, for more information visit whereenglandbegan.co.uk

Related

New law could hit Kingston church with huge tax bill