Muesums fight cuts with petition to Cameron

NATIONAL Museums Liverpool has launched an official protest at central government cuts which would see its funds slashed by almost half.

It is urging the public to sign a petition which it plans to present to David Cameron's government, in a last-ditch bid to get it to reconsider plans for massive cuts to museum services.

NML receives 95pc of its funding from Whitehall and has been told to expect cuts of as much as 40pc.

Last week it was announced that the National Conservation Centre and Piermaster’s House could be the first to go, with Sudley House in Allerton on reduced opening hours and staff redundancies in the pipeline.

David Fleming, NML Director said: “People need to realise that the museums and galleries they love are under serious threat. Because of unfair government cuts we are being forced to consider the unthinkable – the closure of some of Merseyside’s best loved venues.

“We have launched a petition at each of our eight museums and galleries and urge people to pledge their support.”

”These are unprecedented times for the public sector and we are not prepared to lie down and accept it.”

Already several NML improvement schemes have been cancelled due to impending cuts, as well as developments due to be funded by outside agencies. The Find Your Talent programme, which involved thousands of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds getting access to culture, was axed last month following Government cuts. Plans for a new Titanic gallery at Merseyside Maritime Museum are being scaled down, owing to cuts to funding agencies.

NML says it has been working with staff and unions to explore all avenues to combat cuts. The priorities are to safeguard jobs while maintaining world class museums and galleries.

People can sign petitions, which will be presented to ministers in the autumn when they are set to decide on Liverpool's fate, at all NML venues venues or online here