The Heritage Alliance, of which Civic Voice is a member, has said that the spending review announcement “brings a mixed but cautiously optimistic picture for our sector, and presents some new opportunities.”
The Good News
Capital Investment: The government has committed £2.9 billion for cultural and heritage infrastructure over the spending review period. Details to follow.
Place-Based Focus: The Treasury’s Green Book review now emphasises place-based projects – a shift that plays directly to heritage’s strengths in placemaking and community regeneration. Guidance on local growth plans for mayors has also been instituted, while spending for local governments is set to rise by 1.1% from 2025/26 to 2028/29.
Creative Industries Priority: The government confirmed creative industries as one of eight priority growth sectors. The designation of creative industries as a priority growth sector could unlock additional support for heritage organisations, though it will be important that heritage is recognised as an important subsector of the creative industries in the forthcoming Industrial Strategy
The Challenges
Efficiency Pressures: All departments must deliver 5% savings, and the ongoing Arms Length Bodies review creates uncertainty for the sector.
Resource Constraints: While the capital investment for DCMS is welcome, day-to-day spending will fall by 1.2% annually, putting pressure on operational funding.
We’ll continue to engage with government to ensure heritage’s voice is heard with the arrival of a new Industrial Strategy and Treasury’s fresh focus on place-based projects. And we will, of course, continue to monitor developments and further updates will follow as more details emerge.
Together, we can ensure this spending review becomes a catalyst for heritage-led regeneration across the UK.