- The Iona Institute - https://ionainstitute.ie -

The Scottish Government will subsidise new security measures for churches

Faith leaders in Scotland have welcomed a Government move to subsidise new security measures in places of worship [1].

Individual churches, mosques, and synagogues can receive up to £20,000 to enhance security.

Places of worship deemed particularly at-risk of attacks are eligible for 100 per cent grants.

Michael Veitch of the Christian public policy charity “CARE for Scotland”, welcomed the announcement.

“In recent years, there have been alarming attacks on places of worship in Scotland including churches, synagogues, and mosques. This money will enable congregations to install security measures to act both as a deterrent to criminals and a reassurance to worshippers.

“Whilst the maximum grant available to individual places of worship is less than in England, the fact that 100 per cent grants are to be provided to the most at-risk settings is especially welcome. We hope that this assistance for places of worship will become a regular feature in Scottish Government budgets.

“We also call on Ministers to send a strong message that religiously-motivated hatred has no place in modern Scotland including hatred against Christians, which often receives less media coverage.”