Government Grant for Liverpool Museum Redevelopment Under Review

A £10 million government grant intended for the redevelopment of the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool is currently under review following the Budget. The government has stated it is “minded to withdraw” this funding, which was initially announced last year as part of a series of Levelling Up cultural bids. Museum officials have affirmed their continued commitment to the project, which also encompasses the redevelopment of the Maritime Museum. The Conservative government first unveiled its £100 million Levelling Up plan for cultural projects in 2023. In March 2024, specific projects received provisional funding allocations in the Spring statement. These projects were variously described as “nationally significant culture projects” and “places in need in Great Britain that were prioritised for funding but had not previously received funding from Levelling Up streams”. The £10 million allocated to National Museums Liverpool (NML) was earmarked to partially fund an ambitious transformation of the waterfront area surrounding the Maritime Museum, and a significant redevelopment of the slavery museum. The project also receives funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Subsequent to the Budget, the government indicated it was “minded to withdraw the funding” due to the necessity of saving money. In a statement, NML announced it would consult “with colleagues in Government, ensuring the local, national and international significance of this project is understood”. The statement further added: “National Museums Liverpool remains committed to this important and deeply impactful project, which has been years in development and has grown with the collaboration and guidance of many, including our community stakeholders.” Kim Johnson, the Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, expressed being “very concerned” upon learning that the funding was under review. She also stated her intention to meet with ministers to discuss the matter, which she characterized as “so important, both to Liverpool and internationally”. Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, commented: “While the Budget announcement on the future of this funding might seem concerning on the face of it, we are aware that there will be a proper consultation, where we can make the case to government that it is an important investment, both for the region and the wider UK economy.” The government confirmed it would consult with the affected organizations before making a final decision regarding the potential withdrawal of funding.