Check your energy bills – you should be paying 5% VAT. When you signed your energy contract you should have had a charity declaration to sign. If not, or if the company has not administered it correctly, you could be paying more VAT than you should. You should also be exempt from paying Climate Change Levy (although some church halls will not be able to claim this). This applies to electricity, gas and oil.

For further details, visit Parish Buying, email support@parishbuying.org.uk (general enquiries), energy@parishbuying.org.uk (energy enquiries) or call 0800 368 0887.

If you need help with the links, filling in the forms or whatever else, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We will be pleased to help as much as we can. Email stewardship@carlislediocese.org.uk