In the wake of the Chancellor’s Budget Statement, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) has issued a stark appeal to Lord Parkinson, the Libraries Minister at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, urging him to use his authority to defend local library services. Amid financial strains on local authorities and concerns that the ‘exceptional financial support’ package may lead to a distress sale of crucial assets, including public libraries, CILIP’s call for action is more pressing than ever.
Read: CILIP launches Libraries at Risk Monitor to protect UK’s public libraries
CILIP said it acknowledged the government’s vision of making “long-term decisions for a brighter future” and Jeremy Hunt’s pledge for a “budget for long-term growth.” The organisation welcomes the new real-terms investment in cultural programmes, notably the British Library North project. However, it highlights an urgent need for sustained financial support for local governments, essential for libraries to contribute to a more promising future for all.
“Sadly, today’s budget statement runs counter to the Government’s stated ambition by failing to address the severe pressures faced by local Councils in providing statutory services – which includes libraries.”
CILIP Statement
Contrary to government ambitions, CILIP criticised today’s (March 6) budget for neglecting the acute financial challenges local councils face in maintaining statutory library services. The newly unveiled Public Sector Productivity Plan is feared to exacerbate the financial strain, pushing councils towards further reductions in vital services.
CILIP argues that the Chancellor’s tax cuts and the push for councils to find additional ‘productivity and efficiency’ savings could set a “fiscal trap,” endangering the nation’s invaluable libraries. The institute advocates for a fair funding settlement for local governments to rejuvenate local services, particularly libraries, underscoring their role in fostering local economic growth, community well-being, lifelong learning, literacy, and cultural enrichment.
Read: Advocates respond to major English public libraries review
The organisation added that it hopes that Lord Parkinson will promptly leverage his supervisory powers to forestall a significant erosion of library services nationwide. Citing the Sanderson Review’s endorsement of libraries’ transformative impact, CILIP said it is keen to collaborate with the minister to fortify the UK’s respected library network, contingent on the continued existence of these critical community resources.
Only this week, Birmingham council approved the biggest budget cuts in local authority history, after declaring itself effectively bankrupt in September. Campaigners had pleaded with councillors to rethink plans to close 25 of the city’s libraries as part of plans to balance its books.
“We hope that Government will take this final opportunity to avert further loss and hollowing-out of library services and to invest in the literacy, wellbeing and opportunity of future generations before it is too late.”
CILIP Statement
CILIP’s final plea to the Government is to seize the opportunity to reverse the ongoing diminishment of library services, thereby investing in the literacy, well-being, and prospects of forthcoming generations before irreversible damage is done. The call to action is clear: a demand for strategic investment and policy reversal to preserve and enhance the nation’s library services for the benefit of all.