← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
UNESCO: 80th Anniversary
18 November 2025
Lead MP
Jonathan Davies
Mid Derbyshire
Lab
Responding Minister
Seema Malhotra
Tags
No tags
Word Count: 13422
Other Contributors: 19
At a Glance
Jonathan Davies raised concerns about unesco: 80th anniversary in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Jonathan Davies asks for a national strategy to support UNESCO world heritage sites across the UK, emphasizing the role of such a strategy in sharing best practices and influencing government legislation.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
UNESCO was established in London after World War II to promote international cooperation in science, education, communication and culture. The Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO world heritage site in Jonathan Davies' constituency faces issues with the Belper mills being in poor repair, highlighting the need for national renewal.
Anna Dixon
Lab
Shipley
Anna Dixon discusses the regeneration of Saltaire and encourages Jonathan Davies to look at similar restoration projects like Salts Mill for inspiration in repairing the Belper mills.
Allison Gardner
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent South
Dr Allison Gardner supports the recognition of Stoke-on-Trent as a UNESCO creative city, highlighting its historical contribution to global pottery.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
Emphasises Edinburgh's rich literary history and its status as a UNESCO city of literature. Discusses the importance of libraries and literacy, highlighting the work of Val Walker.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Celebrates the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland as a UNESCO heritage site designated in 1986 and discusses the importance of protecting world heritage sites from climate change impacts.
Joe Morris
Lab
Hexham
Discusses the importance of Hadrian’s wall and its economic impact, advocating for better transport infrastructure to enhance tourism and employment opportunities in Northumberland.
Joe Robertson
Con
Isle of Wight East
He praised UNESCO and its founding spirit, which he believes owes its durability to its ambition, uniting 196 nations around a common purpose. He highlighted the UK's role in cultural and artistic traditions.
John Whitby
Lab
Derbyshire Dales
Congratulates the lead MP on securing the debate and highlights its importance in discussing UNESCO's role in promoting peace, diversity, and cultural heritage preservation.
Jonathan Davies
Con
Mid Derbyshire
Expressed gratitude for colleagues' contributions to the debate about UNESCO values and opportunities in relation to government missions.
Julia Buckley
Lab
Shrewsbury
Acknowledged the importance of Ironbridge Gorge as a UNESCO world heritage site and highlighted the persistent threat of flooding to the area. Recent severe floods caused significant damage, affecting visitor numbers and historic structures.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Liz Saville Roberts emphasizes the need to balance maintenance and working use of large industrial sites, citing a hydroelectric scheme as an example in her constituency.
Martin Rhodes
Lab
Glasgow North
Rhodes highlights Glasgow’s UNESCO city of music designation since 2008, which attracts over half a million visitors annually to world-renowned venues and contributes to the local economy.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
Asked the hon. Member for Cardiff North about the potential risks of developing offshore wind farms near UNESCO sites like the Giant’s Causeway.
Julie Minns
Lab
Carlisle
Highlights the ongoing archaeological discoveries at Carlisle cricket club concerning Hadrian’s wall and emphasises the need for further research and preservation efforts.
Peter Dowd
Lab
unknown
As the chair of the debate, he acknowledged the mover of the motion and welcomed contributions from other speakers.
Rachael Maskell
Lab/Co-op
York Central
Discusses the potential bid for York as a UNESCO world heritage site, advocating for financial support from the Government and the National Heritage Lottery Fund to develop and maintain bids.
Seema Malhotra
Lab
Yorks Selby
Discussed the importance of UNESCO designations and their impact on UK heritage, mentioning specific sites like Aberystwyth and Isle of Arran.
Shaun Davies
Lab
Telford
Celebrates the significance of Ironbridge Gorge as a world heritage site, its economic contribution to Telford, and the local council's efforts in managing and preserving it.
Shockat Adam
Ind
Leicester South
Emphasised the importance of UNESCO in fostering peace and highlighted projects such as Mount Mulanje in Malawi, which provides resources for nearly a million people. Discussed the ethical implications of AI and its impact on human rights, climate degradation, and the need for global peace.
Torcuil Crichton
Lab
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Represents St Kilda, a unique UNESCO site with both cultural and natural heritage status, highlighting its significance in preserving the human history of remote inhabitation.
Government Response
Seema Malhotra
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Government Response
Acknowledged the work done by Jonathan Davies and paid tribute to Ellen Wilkinson. Highlighted £1 billion spent on heritage funding by National Lottery Heritage Fund. Emphasised UK's active role in UNESCO since its founding 80 years ago, reinforcing its reputation as a thought leader and trusted partner.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.