Advocacy Work
Advocacy is one of the 4 key objectives of our strategy, we are a loud and confident voice, working with Government and policy-makers in Westminster.
We advocate on behalf of our members to preserve the value of Heritage, and to protect and support Heritage organisations so that our sector can make a positive contribution to contemporary society.
Our regular policy work includes:
- advocating and influencing
- responding to government consultations
- making representation to APPGs and Select Committees
- writing letters to ministers
- meeting frequently with key contacts in government
- attending stakeholder groups
We regularly engage with our members to ensure that we accurately represent their views.
Advocacy Groups
Our Advocacy Groups track relevant parliamentary business, including the progress of Bills, debates, questions and EDMs, making representation as appropriate. They support the development of policy and legislation by providing written and oral evidence to Select Committee inquiries and government consultations.
Group membership is only available to Heritage Alliance members. To join an Advocacy Group or a Working Group, please contact our Head of Policy & Communications at policy@theheritagealliance.org.uk.
Hover over or click on each box to read more information about the group.
Rural Heritage
Faces the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
The Rural Heritage Advocacy Group aims to review and influence policies that impact the management of the rural historic environment.
Currently, the key focus of the group is the future of Rural Heritage after Brexit. The group is working to ensure that any replacement for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the Environmental Land Management Scheme, protects all historic landscapes, archaeological remains, traditional farm buildings, and landscape features such as dry stone walls and field patterns. The group is represented on a number of ELMS Stakeholder Groups and is in the process of designing a Test & Trial for ELMS. The group is also concerned with the Environment Bill.
Spatial Planning
Faces the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG).
Sponsored by The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA).
The key focus of the Spatial Planning Advocacy Group is planning policy affecting the historic environment. The Group, through the Alliance, is a member of the National Planning Forum, the principal cross-sectoral voice on planning issues and aims.
The group is currently focused on the Government’s proposals to radically alter the planning system through their Planning for the Future proposals.
Funding And Investment
Faces Her Majesty’s Treasury.
The Funding and Investment Advocacy Group aims to review and influence the development of funding policy for heritage and to support members in their capacity to access funding.
Key issues for the group include the disparity in VAT between new build and repair, maintenance & retrofit, as well as the future of funding for heritage charities after Brexit. Previously the group have worked on the relaunch of the National Heritage Lottery Fund and the creation of the Alliance’s Funding Directory.
Skills, Education And Engagement
Faces the Department of Education and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
The Skills, Education and Engagement Group brings together the expertise of Alliance members to influence education, volunteering and engagement policy, promote the role of the NGO heritage sector as a provider of world-leading educational programmes and opportunities for skills development, and act as a means of information exchange and best-practice sharing amongst members.
They hope to collate best practice for advocacy and inspiration and act as a hub for collaboration amongst Alliance members.
Working Groups
Tax Working Group
Faces Her Majesty’s Treasury.
The Tax Working Group brings together a range of stakeholders and members to explore how the tax system can be reformed to benefit the Heritage Sector.
Currently the Group is focused on how the Government could best address VAT disparity for the repair and maintenance of historic buildings.
Historic Religious Building Alliance
The Historic Religious Buildings Alliance brings together those working for a secure future for historic religious buildings. They work with those concerned with places of worship of all faiths and denominations, throughout the United Kingdom. HBRA are an independently-funded group within the Heritage Alliance.
HRBA publish a weekly newsletter that is free to everyone, and anyone can attend their annual conference, known as ‘The Big Update’. They also provide occasional ad hoc briefings on current issues, and we can act as a channel for members in consultation with central government and other stakeholders.