Historic Buildings: Repairs and Maintenance
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many heritage assets are recorded as being at risk of neglect or dereliction in England; and what assessment they have made of the adequacy of apprenticeship and training provision to support the repair and conservation of historic buildings and other heritage assets.
Answered by Ian Murray
Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register, last published on 6 November 2025, identified 4,891 heritage assets at risk in England. The register identifies designated sites that are most at risk of being lost as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development. More information can be found on Historic England’s website: https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/heritage-at-risk/buildings-at-risk/.
While no assessment has been made of the adequacy of apprenticeship and training provisions to support the repair and conservation of heritage, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is working with the heritage sector to utilise the government’s investment in skills education to grow the workforce. We are engaging with the Department for Education and Skills England to ensure heritage skills are recognised and developed. Through the fully funded SME apprenticeships for under-25s, we are giving smaller heritage organisations the opportunity to deliver flexible, affordable apprenticeships in heritage skills and conservation.
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