‘Culture belongs to us all – but the sector is struggling’

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love heritage and culture. I’m lucky to work in this sector, with people who cherish the places, collections and knowledge that we care for. If you’ve enjoyed a day out somewhere like Stonehenge, the V&A, St Fagan's, or in an old local park, that’s partly due to our work.

Museums, galleries and libraries foster learning, social cohesion and creativity and, of course, are vital for tourism. They create jobs and generate spending that contributes to the economy beyond the sector.

Culture offers a measurable social and health value. The DCMS Culture and Heritage Capital programme reports regular cultural engagement has a wellbeing benefit worth around £8 billion a year. Historic England studies show that heritage contributes to community cohesion, something we need more than ever. 

But as a sector we are struggling. The financial underpinnings are crumbling. Over the past decade, core public funding has fallen dramatically, with DCMS grant-in-aid being cut and local government budgets dropping by 48% in England.

Inequalities within the workforce are widening. For example, Historic England found that 90% of heritage workers identify as white, and that leadership remains unrepresentative. 

Demands on workers have intensified, with staff attempting to maintain standards and safety with a shrinking resource. Sites are running on insecure, low-paid contracts.

PCS has had ongoing campaigns for fair pay and conditions, highlighting how chronic underinvestment leaves skilled workers struggling to stay in the sector. And we will keep fighting.

Losing a healthy culture sector isn’t just an aesthetic loss and a national shame; it undermines community identity, wellbeing and inclusion. The things we care for belong to us all – and so we should all care about the people that work in the sector.