UNESCO World Heritage Sites
2026-06-18
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is asked about funding for UNESCO world heritage sites.
What steps her Department is taking to increase funding for UNESCO world heritage sites.
Responsibility for managing and funding UNESCO world heritage sites is devolved to local authorities and the devolved Governments. As such, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not typically provide direct funding. Heritage sites can apply for UK Government funding through our arm's length bodies, notably the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England, which can provide support to world heritage sites through capital grants for conservation, education and community resilience projects.
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Assessment & feedback
The Department's direct responsibility and action in funding UNESCO sites
Responsibility Is Devolved
Department Does Not Typically Provide Direct Funding
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Cromford Mills is a UNESCO world heritage site in Derbyshire that requires additional funding to secure its financial viability.
Will the Minister therefore agree to officials meeting the Arkwright Society to see what support the Department can give to help Cromford Mill secure this much-needed financial support?
I pay tribute to the Arkwright Society, which does amazing work in managing Cromford Mills, which is an integral part of the wider Derwent Valley Mills world heritage site. I am therefore pleased that it has already secured £1.3 million of investment from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. I understand the remaining challenges my hon. Friend set out about the longer-term financial viability. He asked for a meeting with officials, and we should set up that meeting, but also with the Minister in the other place, Baroness Twycross, who would be very happy to meet him and the Arkwright Society.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The Roman forts of Reculver and Richborough are seeking UNESCO world heritage site status, which could be threatened by the construction of a converter station.
Would the Minister have a word with that Department to make sure that does not happen?
It is important that any new site put forward for UNESCO world heritage site status first goes through a robust national assessment process—and the issues that the right hon. Gentleman raises will be considered as part of that—before being put on the UK's tentative list of prospective world heritage nominations. However, I am very happy to arrange a meeting with him to discuss what may have to be done to make that application as strong as possible.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy