The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) is offering to return Ethiopian treasures that were looted by British troops at the battle of Maqdala on long-term loan, so ownership would remain with the museum. This offer may put pressure on other UK institutions that hold seized Ethiopian …

Heritage science is the application of science and technology to cultural heritage to improve understanding, management and engagement. The National Heritage Science Forum (NHSF) [Alliance member] has set out proposals for a new National Heritage Science Strategy for the UK that will respond to changes in …

The Sentencing Council has published proposed new guidelines covering arson and criminal damage offences. The guidelines, for courts in England and Wales, will help ensure consistent and proportionate sentencing for these offences. The guidelines highlight that the impact of arson or criminal damage to national …

The House of Commons. European Scrutiny committee has published a report on the EUs proposals for VAT reform. The key area from a heritage perspective is on introducing flexibility for member states to reduce VAT rates. The report notes that the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mel Stride) …

The Government received 71,238 responses to the consultation, including 60,613 campaign responses and 2 petition responses. The Heritage Alliance responded as well. The Government’s consultation response provides a summary of the responses, evidence and views submitted to the consultation and contains a policy statement setting out the basis …

The Government has introduced new legislation to allow councils across England to charge double the rate of Council Tax on homes left empty for 2 years or more. The Rating (Property in Common Occupation) and Council Tax (Empty Dwellings) Bill was introduced on 28 March 2018. The House of …

The Heritage Alliance was at the launch of the Creative Industries Sector Deal: More than £150 million will be jointly invested by government and industry to help the country’s world-leading cultural and creative businesses thrive as part of landmark Sector Deal. A New Cultural Development Fund …

The Historic Building Restoration Grant is being piloted in Dartmoor, Lake District, Northumberland, Peak District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks with £2 million of funding available. The aim of the scheme is to help save the iconic historic farm buildings in the English National Parks from falling …

The Government has announced that it will implement a £1.8m pilot project on how listed places of worship can be supported to become more sustainable, following the publication of the Taylor Review: Sustainability of English Churches and Cathedrals. Expert advisors will work with listed buildings used by …

Join us on 25 April 2018 10:00 – 11:30 am for this unique opportunity for Heritage Alliance members to put their questions to Kevin Brennan MP, Shadow Minister for Arts and Heritage. This free special event is for Heritage Alliance members only – with a limit of two …

Please fill out this short survey to help The Heritage Alliance build the evidence base for a resilience bid to strengthen our organisation into the future, and build the capacity of our staff and volunteers for the long term. This will form an essential part of our …

The Heritage Alliance has published the first ever report on the independent heritage sector’s impact overseas. The report, sponsored by the Scottish Confucius Institute for Business & Communication at Heriot-Watt University, makes recommendations for building on the success of the overall sector which already generates £21.7 billion …