Tessa Jowell, the Culture Secretary, has denied threatening to dismantle English Heritage (EH). An article in the Sunday Times claimed that her department was proposing that EH’s 400 sites, including Stonehenge and Dover Castle, would be handed over to the National Trust. This would leave EH with little except its role of advising the government on the historic environment. The article said that the move was the result of 'bitter rows' between EH and the government.

The article prompted fury from Ms Jowell. In a letter to the Chairman of EH, Sir Neil Cossons, she said 'I have no plans to close the organisation. Nor do I plan to hand control of your historic sites to the National Trust or anyone else.' She added that EH 'does superb work in promoting and protecting our historic and built environment.'

However, it is well known that the Culture Secretary believes that there are too many 'overlapping' bodies in the heritage sector. EH funding has been frozen and there were proposals last summer to merge the quango with the Heritage Lottery Fund, although these came to nothing. With a general election looming and a likely ministerial reshuffle at DCMS - EH staff will be hoping the next Culture Secretary will be bound by Ms Jowell’s promises.

Weblinks:

DCMS about Tessa Jowell

Times Article