Kevin Brennan, Shadow Minister for Arts and Heritage, posed a written question asking the Secretary of State for DCMS, what recent discussions she has had with heritage sector representatives on establishing a budget for collaborative research projects on conservation issues between the UK and other countries.
John Glen, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for DCMS, replied that the Government recognises the important contributions our world class academic institutions and researchers make to heritage research. The Secretary of State and the former Minister for Heritage have held round tables with sector representatives to assess the impact of leaving the EU on the heritage sector [ Which have been attended by the Heritage Alliance]. The Department remains committed to working with the UK heritage sector to ensure that its needs and views are understood.
Kevin Brennan also asked what recent discussions have been had with ministerial colleagues ‘on a reciprocal exemption for accredited heritage and museum professions, craftspeople and academics in the new visa regime after the UK leaves the EU’.
John Glen responded that ‘museums and heritage organisations greatly value the expertise and contributions of a range of professionals from the EU: from conservators to scientists, to curators. DCMS is consulting with stakeholders across the heritage and cultural sectors to fully understand their need to access expertise after we exit from the EU’.