The Government’s vision for archives in England

Archives at the Heart of Society

In 2024, The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) commissioned The National Archives to create the Government’s new strategic vision for archives. We partnered with BOP Consulting to carry out an extensive consultation with the sector, which involved in-person roundtable discussions across the country and an online consultation form. We also consulted with a wide range of the sector’s stakeholders, including users of archives.

On Friday 17 April 2026, Baroness Twycross (Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling, and Lords Minister) officially launched the Government’s new vision for archives. We are pleased to now share full vision with you all.

This vision was co-created by the Archive Sector Leadership team at The National Archives and BOP Consulting:

Read the Ministerial introduction

Image credit (above): Bromsgrove School Archives

Image credits (below – clockwise from top left): Museum of English Rural Life Archives, The Motoring Archives at the National Motor Museum, Barts Health NHS Trust Archive, East Riding Archives, The London Archives, Royal Berkshire Archives