The Heritage Alliance (THA) England’s heritage link body, has published ‘The Heritage Manifesto 2017’.
THA writes:
‘Our heritage is one of our greatest national assets, from our rich architectural tradition to our ancient and distinctive landscapes, from exquisite objects, archaeological sites and historic vehicles to stunning churches and museums. It defines our towns, cities and countryside, encouraging inbound tourism and uniting communities. It tells our stories as a nation, supporting social cohesion, rootedness and identity. England’s heritage industry directly generates at least £10 billion in gross value added (GVA) and indirectly generates 2% of national GVA (£21.7 billion). This is more than the agriculture and aerospace sectors combined. Heritage jobs account for 1% of total national employment. Heritage is popular. Nearly four times more people visited heritage attractions in 2016 than attended league and championship football matches. It is the backdrop to our successful TV export creative industry, worth £22billion. There’s no Downton without Highclere. No Poldark without the mines. Heritage is a public good. Its survival depends on the private, independent and public sectors working together. The battle to protect our heritage is far from won, as high-profile campaigns to ‘save’ historic landmarks and thousands of buildings at risk show’.
To realise the power of heritage, Heritage Alliance calls on all political parties to:
- ‘Maximise the advantages, and minimise the disadvantages, of Brexit for heritage;
- Maintain and improve the protection for heritage;
- Attract more investment and engagement in heritage, and build sector skills and capacity;
- Effect positive fiscal change for heritage; and to
- Continue to back Lottery funding for heritage’.
