The Heritage Alliance, a coalition of 200 heritage organisations in England, published in July its 2023 Heritage Manifesto. This demonstrates how heritage provides solutions to a range of public policy challenges and sets out a vision for the sector under the next term of government.

The Heritage Manifesto represents the views of the Heritage Alliance’s 200-strong membership, covering the breadth of the sector from science to creativity, from museums, railways, and gardens, to shipwrecks, canals, and theatres, from archaeological sites to places of worship.

Throughout the twin challenges of the pandemic and cost of living crisis, support for heritage has been both critical and a sound investment. Yet challenges remain, with volunteering and visitor numbers yet to recover, specialist skills becoming increasingly endangered, and a national retrofit challenge to meet climate change priorities.

The Heritage Manifesto has been collaboratively created to draw attention to the key policy measures needed to ensure the future of our shared heritage. It urges all major political parties to adopt a five-point plan to not only protect it, but to maximise the benefits it can create for communities and the environment. The five key priorities for all decision makers are:

Support community cohesion and put heritage at the heart of regeneration

Embed the historic environment in nature recovery and net zero strategies

Reform the tax regime to promote long-term sustainable growth

Harness cultural learning and skills at every age and help our workforce thrive

Futureproof heritage institutions at both a national and a local level

Read the full Heritage Manifesto here