Icon has submitted a representation to the Comprehensive Spending Review 2020, arguing for investment in conservation and cultural heritage.
The Comprehensive Spending Review, which will be published in the autumn, will set out the Government’s spending plans for the parliament. A Comprehensive Spending Review representation comments on government policy or suggests new policy ideas for the review ahead.
Icon's representation was written in consultation with the Policy Advisory Panel. It outlines how cultural heritage is economically vital, generating a total GVA of £31 billion and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs in tourism, conservation, planning, archaeology, and construction. It describes what the sector can offer to the Government’s spending priorities in terms of future-proof jobs, wellbeing opportunities, economic gains, regional growth and globally in-demand expertise.
Our message is simple: conservation doesn't just restore cultural heritage - it safeguards our nation's recovery.
Icon’s recommendations to Government include:
- Invest in our cultural institutions with ring-fenced funding for essential collections care and conservation work
- Invest in a resilience fund for cultural heritage enterprises to support freelance conservators and small and micro businesses
- Invest in creative education and training to encourage people from a diverse range of backgrounds into future-proofed cultural jobs in the creative industries
- Fund cultural heritage wellbeing programs to help deliver the NHS Long Term Plan
- Invest in distributed research and innovation infrastructure for heritage science
- Use cultural heritage to deliver the Soft Power Strategy and strengthen the UK’s international standing
Read our Conservation Restores summary briefing.
Read the full submission.
Find out more about Icon's policy work and lobbying around Coronavirus.
It really matters – and we need your help. Icon makes the case to decision makers on issues that affect cultural heritage, and members are the foundation of our efforts. Join us today.
