English Heritage restricts all its repairs grants to "buildings of outstanding historic or architectural interest" - in practice almost exclusively those listed Grade I or II*. However, the overwhelming majority of listed buildings at risk - some 90% - are listed Grade II and, unless situated in Greater London, do not qualify. As a matter of urgent priority English Heritage should revise its current policy and establish a fund to grant aid repairs to the most needy empty and decaying Grade II listed buildings, regardless of their location. Of course the majority of Grade II buildings are much sought after and worthwhile investments for their owners, but a small proportion have been so badly neglected that repair can never be viable without an injection of grant to put right years of decline.

The predicament of these neglected Grade II buildings, except where they are situated in a conservation area with a special grants scheme, has become worse in recent years because local authorities faced with financial capping now spend much less in grants to historic buildings. As a result, the isolated Grade II building at risk - the barn, cottage or farm house - has become the most threatened type of building. Funding must be made available to prevent their loss.