Prospect responds to NAO report on financial resilience of DCMS-sponsored museums and galleries

Responding to the National Audit Office report on the financial resilience of DCMS-sponsored museums and galleries, Prospect Deputy General Secretary, Noel McClean said:

“This NAO report confirms that post pandemic cuts to grant in aid are impacting the financial resilience of key UK institutions.

“It also warns, as Prospect has warned, that the cost-cutting measures being put in place, predominantly cuts to staffing, could be unsustainable and if continued could have a negative impact on the medium-to-long-term goals of the museums and galleries.

“Oversight of the sector has prioritised heritage building and assets over labour, and our members have paid the price through redundancies and endemic low pay. It is our experts who bring heritage to life, if we don’t reverse this situation then we risk a negative spiral where inadequate staffing drives visitor numbers even lower.”