Local MP James Cleverly visited the restoration work currently underway at St Mary’s Church at Stebbing to learn of the massive impact of the Government’s changes to the rules for VAT on refurbishment of Listed Place of Worship.

It means that, mid project, St Mary’s Stebbing have got to raise an extra £140,000 - just for the increased tax bill.

James has written to the Government calling on them to reverse this change, at least for projects that have already started.