Westminster Hall Backs Local Heritage and Reading Revival

High-Level Summary

Westminster Hall held two debates: on the contribution of local museums and on World Book Day. Members underlined the civic, educational and economic roles of local museums, alongside funding pressures on small, volunteer‑run institutions and a discussion over how museums should handle contemporary activism. The World Book Day debate focused on declining reading for pleasure among children, the role of libraries, SEND inclusion and screen time, with Ministers outlining actions under the National Year of Reading. Both debates concluded without division, with the House resolving that it had considered each topic.

Detailed Summary

Local Museums — [Emma Lewell in the Chair]

Jennifer Craft highlighted Thurrock’s heritage and the role of its museums, including the Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre and the Thurrock Museum. She argued that local institutions build identity and education — “That is where our local museums play a critical role. They keep our local histories alive” — but face capacity barriers to securing funds. She welcomed national commitments — “Ministers have earmarked more than £100 million” — and asked how small museums will access support and whether simpler, smaller grants could be offered. Neil Coyle urged that support reach smaller community museums “and not just the main national museums”, while Carla Denyer pressed for sufficient local authority funding to keep local museums open.

Backbench Members showcased museums in their constituencies and raised practical issues. Kieran Mullan noted reliance on self‑generated income: “for every £1 of revenue that Bexhill Museum receives from the Government, it has to generate £8 of its own”. Tom Gordon sought a meeting on Knaresborough castle. Julie Minns warned that “pressure on local government funding is having a direct and immediate impact on Tullie”. Jim Shannon called for “the need for long‑term sustainability”. Gregory Stafford described funding streams such as MEND, the levelling‑up and culture recovery funds delivered by the previous Government, questioned use of public money for current political causes, citing a Cardiff exhibition including Extinction Rebellion posters, and asked about ringfenced cultural budgets and philanthropy incentives.

Responding, Ian Murray said “small museums are an essential part of our national tapestry of museums”, confirmed the museum estate and development (MEND) fund “is open to museums of all sizes” and that the Hodge Review is considering proportionate applications for small, volunteer‑run bodies. He offered meetings (for example, on Knaresborough castle), cited recent grants — “Middlesbrough council museums were awarded £240,000… and the Land of Iron was awarded a MEND grant worth £650,000” — and outlined the new places of worship renewal fund in England, noting devolved responsibilities in Scotland. On curation, he said it is not for politicians to direct content — “I do not think it is for the Government… to tell museums how they should celebrate our heritage” — and added that museums also “educate and inspire for the future”. He concluded that Government has provided “significant new funding to the sector” and that a response to the Hodge Review is forthcoming. Outcome: “Resolved, That this House has considered the contribution of local museums.”.

World Book Day — [Wera Hobhouse in the Chair]

Helen Hayes said dressing up is not the event’s core aim; its purpose is to promote reading for pleasure — “that is not the core purpose of World Book Day”. She described World Book Day as “the UK’s largest reading for pleasure campaign”, highlighted its reach and impact — “A quarter of children on free school meals said that the first book they owned came as a result of the World Book Day £1 book tokens” — and summarised the Education Committee’s inquiry: reading is a “driver of social mobility” and an “anti-poverty strategy”, but enjoyment is at a 20‑year low, with pressures including reduced library access, a gender gap, SEND accessibility and increased screen time. Amanda Hack echoed that “just one in three children aged eight to 18 say that they enjoy reading in their spare time”. Richard Quigley noted that on the Isle of Wight “one in three children leaves school unable to read at the expected level”. Peter Swallow cited a “36% decrease” since 2005 and lower rates among boys. Patricia Ferguson praised the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which “provides young people with one free, high-quality, age-appropriate book per month”. Jack Rankin, speaking in verse, urged a ban on phones in schools and “social media for under-16s too”.

Olivia Bailey outlined actions within the National Year of Reading. On digital distraction, she said “from bell to bell, there should be absolutely no phones in schools”, with Ofsted inspecting against new guidance and age‑specific screen‑time guidance forthcoming. She detailed funding: more than £10 million so every primary school has a library and £5 million for secondary school reading materials; a “funding boost” for local library services and £1,000 prizes for regional Library of the Year winners; £28 million this year to raise standards in reading and writing; and the Unlocking Reading programme so that “by the end of this academic year, 75% of secondary schools will have access”, alongside RISE English hubs. She encouraged participation in the “Go All In” campaign. Outcome: “Resolved, That this House has considered World Book Day.”.