Marsha De Cordova corrected a written answer on Church of England: Hereford

4 February 2026 · Commons written answer · Church Commissioners

Mark Pritchard (Conservative, The Wrekin) asked written question 108182 on 26 January 2026. Marsha De Cordova answered on 4 February 2026 for the Church Commissioners, and Marsha De Cordova corrected the answer on 4 February 2026. The corrected text adds the figure 1350, which the original did not give. Altogether 268 words differ between the two versions.

The question

To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, if the Commissioners will hold discussions with the (i) Dean and (ii) Bishop of Hereford to discuss spiritual and community events and celebrations planned for 2026 to recognise 1,350 years since the founding of the Bishopric of Hereford in 676.

Original and corrected answer

Struck through: original only. Bold: correction only.

Original	Corrected
The ~~Department~~ of ~~Culture, Media~~ and ~~Sport announced~~ the ~~replacement scheme~~ to the ~~Listed Places~~ of ~~Worship Grant Scheme~~ on the ~~21st January.~~ The National Church Institutions ~~welcomed~~ the new Places of Worship Renewal Fund and await details of how it will operate with interest. The operational details are yet to be published, and the current scheme ends on the 31st March 2026. The full press release from the National Church Institutions can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/media/news-and-press-releases/national-treasures-common-good-new-repairs-fund-announced The Diocese of Hereford and the Diocese of Lichfield are still examining the implications of the new scheme. They continue to work closely with the National Church Institutions on the best strategy to maximise the help available to local parishes. The Lord Bishop of Hereford asked a question in the House of Lords about the operation of the ~~new scheme~~ on ~~Monday, 26th January, 2026 In response,~~ the ~~Rt. Hon. Lord Livermore, Financial Secretary to~~ the ~~Treasury, said “the details of the new scheme would be published soon”. In subsequent correspondence with the Minister, the Bishop of~~ Hereford has sought assurance that the new grant scheme would keep to a minimum the administrative burdens on parishes. The Church welcomes the Government’s indication that it would it will work with the National Church Institutions to ensure the scheme wais fair and transparent.	The Church Commissioners are in regular discussion with the Bishop of Hereford and the Dean of Hereford. The Diocese of Hereford has planned an extensive range of activities to mark the 1350th anniversary of its foundation. The full events list and resources for schools and community groups is available on the Diocese’s website. The National Church Institutions continue to give thanks for the ongoing missional work of the clergy, lay staff, and volunteers of the Diocese, and congratulate them on all their efforts to support the spiritual and community life across the Hereford Diocese.

Original

Corrected

The ~~Department~~ of ~~Culture, Media~~ and ~~Sport announced~~ the ~~replacement scheme~~ to the ~~Listed Places~~ of ~~Worship Grant Scheme~~ on the ~~21st January.~~
The National Church Institutions ~~welcomed~~ the new Places of Worship Renewal Fund and await details of how it will operate with interest. The operational details are yet to be published, and the current scheme ends on the 31st March 2026. The full press release from the National Church Institutions can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/media/news-and-press-releases/national-treasures-common-good-new-repairs-fund-announced
The Diocese of Hereford and the Diocese of Lichfield are still examining the implications of the new scheme. They continue to work closely with the National Church Institutions on the best strategy to maximise the help available to local parishes.
The Lord Bishop of Hereford asked a question in the House of Lords about the operation of the ~~new scheme~~ on ~~Monday, 26th January, 2026 In response,~~ the ~~Rt. Hon. Lord Livermore, Financial Secretary to~~ the ~~Treasury, said “the details of the new scheme would be published soon”. In subsequent correspondence with the Minister, the Bishop of~~ Hereford has sought assurance that the new grant scheme would keep to a minimum the administrative burdens on parishes. The Church welcomes the Government’s indication that it would it will work with the National Church Institutions to ensure the scheme wais fair and transparent.

The Church Commissioners are in regular discussion with the Bishop of Hereford and the Dean of Hereford.
The Diocese of Hereford has planned an extensive range of activities to mark the 1350th anniversary of its foundation.
The full events list and resources for schools and community groups is available on the Diocese’s website.
The National Church Institutions continue to give thanks for the ongoing missional work of the clergy, lay staff, and volunteers of the Diocese, and congratulate them on all their efforts to support the spiritual and community life across the Hereford Diocese.

The question and answer on the Parliament website.

Receipt

Read from	https://questions-statements-api.parliament.uk/api/writtenquestions/questions/1874944?expandMember=true
Date read	15 October 2026
SHA-256	`27997c8bd33a604dabd18470c4faa0c95a7fd31d114aedddaf917212a12aad7f`