Small charities that have experienced fraud have been urged to reclaim lost funds through their banks and others under a recently introduced scheme.

National Fraud Helpline solicitors said “very few charities” are aware of the authorised push payment fraud (APP) reimbursement scheme which came into force on 7 October.

The scheme, introduced by the Payments Systems Regulator (PSR), mandates banks and other payment service providers to reimburse victims of APP fraud carried out through the faster payments system and Clearing House Automated Payment System up to £85,000.

It applies to charities with an income of less than £1m per year and that match the definition of a charity under the Charities Act 2011, Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 or the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008).

Martin Richardson, senior partner at National Fraud Helpline solicitors, said: “This mandatory reimbursement scheme for fraud victims covers more than 95% of the UK’s charities but very few are aware of it.

“Although the PSR scheme only covers up to £85,000 of lost funds, the Financial Ombudsman Service can order banks to pay up to £430,000. 

“Banks should be highlighting the fact that this scheme exists. It’s important that charities are aware of the fact that if they fall victim to fraud then there is help.”

Richardson added that “every organisation is vulnerable to scams, particularly as the fraudsters become more ever more sophisticated and take advantage of technological advances”.

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THE Listed Places of Worship Grant (LPWG) Scheme has been extended for one year only and capped at £23 million. Individual places of worship are eligible for a maximum of £25,000.

Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate, the Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism, Sir Chris Bryant, spoke of a “very tough” financial situation in his department, with “a lot of competing demands.”

After almost 90 minutes of contributions from MPs describing the needs of parish churches and cathedrals in their constituencies, including projects that could not go ahead without the scheme, he said: “By tradition, a cathedral is not symmetrical because only God is perfect. I am sure this is not perfection for whatever everybody would want, but I hope it is at least acceptable.”

The scheme, launched in 2001 and extended by every ensuing government provides grants covering the VAT on repairs costing more than £1000 to listed buildings used as places of worship. It was due to expire at the end of March. A DCMS press release said that, on the basis of previous scheme data, 94 per cent of claims were under £25,000, while Sir Chris told MPs that more than 70 per cent were under £5000. The funding was extended to £42 million a year in 2012, although only £29 million was claimed last year, he said.

The Department reported last year that almost 5000 churches had received a grant. The press release identified eight recipients who had received between £67,000 and £600,000.

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 Churches are being urged to offer safe spaces for young people at risk of violence. It comes after the fatal stabbing of Harvey Willgoose, a 15 year old pupil at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield on Monday (3 February).

A 15 year old boy has been charged with his murder and he's also been charged with possession of a bladed article and one count of affray.

Bishop Lenford Rowe who is chair of Synergy Network, a coalition of churches, charities and organisations working to end youth violence, told Premier Christian News his heart was “broken by the news and I'm sure the hearts of many are broken.

“I am deeply concerned about knife crime, it has gone on for so long. We are now only two months in 2025 and several of our young people have been stabbed, and what are we going to be do about it? It’s all of us, it’s our business to do as much as we can.”

Synergy Network has a seat at government discussions on the issue, trying to influence policy and making positive contributions as to how to move forward. Bishop Rowe says he is encouraged by the government’s stance and he thinks churches also have a major role to play:

“I think churches can help. Churches can create safe spaces for young people, particularly in the summer months, when the academic year comes to an end, that is when we see a peak. So safe spaces can be provided, mentors can be provided, and educational programmes will help.

“Some church services could also be tailored to talk specifically about knife crime.”

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