There is clear demand for continued Lottery funding for heritage, at the same level as now or greater – based on the outstanding need for additional investment (highlighted in many of the responses), and the opportunities people see for heritage funding to contribute further to strengthening and regenerating communities across the UK. In general the responses give a very positive endorsement of our achievements to date, and many respondents highlight the significant risk to these achievements that any reduction in funding would bring. It is considered important that the HLF retains the capacity to fund projects of all sizes. People particularly identify and praise the benefits of smaller projects to communities and individuals, as well as the regenerative impact of large iconic projects. For some parts of the sector (particularly natural heritage) HLF is seen as the only significant source of major capital funding.

‘HLF has done an excellent job for museums (my area) and for the heritage sector as a whole. It must remain credible by embracing excellence and big projects as well as the smaller community orientated heritage projects and activities.’
National campaign director

‘Heritage Lottery Fund remains the single largest funder of biodiversity projects… Without the Heritage Lottery Fund and its support for site purchase and habitat restoration many of the most important sites in the UK would not now be receiving the protection they are today.’
Funding manager, national conservation charities