The National Trust, one of the UK’s leading governing bodies for protected heritage sites, is making major changes to its workforce in light of increasing financial burdens.
In January 2025, the National Trust launched its new 10-year strategy, which was shaped by 70,000 stakeholders, including National Trust members.
This resulted in three main aims being established: restoring nature, ending unequal access to nature and cultural heritage, and inspiring millions more people to care and take action to support the National Trust cause.
“It was warmly received by supporters, peers and the public alike, and we are determined to achieve it,” says a National Trust representative.
The National Trust has acknowledged the tough financial environment, and to enable a sustainable future for the organisation, is making changes to ensure they are ‘financially strong and properly resourced for the future’.
Whilst demand and support for its works grow with an annual increase in visitor footfall and donations, it reports that cost increases are outstripping this growth.
The response to this will be major internal changes to the organisation. Labour remains the biggest portion of the National Trust’s costs, with the UK’s National Insurance and National Living Wage increase adding over £10m to the organisation’s annual wage bill.
The National Trust is proposing moves to reduce this to find savings of £26 million, including an approximate 6% reduction in jobs, which is reported to equate to approximately 550 positions. National Trust is beginning a 45-day consultation period with staff as it works to ‘minimise compulsory redundancies.
Difficult times
“We know how difficult this is for our people and are incredibly grateful for their skill and professionalism. We are working hard, with the union Prospect, to make the transition as painless as possible. This follows months of other cost-saving measures. We always want to avoid job losses.
“In the proposed changes, we are prioritising the things people told us are important for the new strategy while protecting the things people value most about what we do now. This means reaching more people where they live with the nature and culture that helps everyone thrive, while continuing to provide the brilliant experiences visitors and members love at our places.”
“We will still be caring for nature and heritage every day, as we have done for the last 130 years. The National Trust has existed for so long because it keeps adapting and planning for the long term.”
This month, the National Trust-owned St George’s Guildhall in King’s Lynn has enjoyed increased visitor numbers, as it showcases a recently uncovered theatre stage, the oldest known in the country.
