Report Highlights Threats to National Treasures
A scathing report from the Public Accounts Committee has revealed that Britain's world-famous museums and galleries are at significant risk from cyberattacks and theft. The cross-party group of MPs criticized the government for a lack of strategic leadership in protecting the nation's cultural institutions.
High-Profile Incidents Underscore Vulnerabilities
The investigation follows major scandals, including a 2023 cyberattack on the British Library that took its website offline for nearly a month, allegedly carried out by the Rhysida ransomware group. That same year, the British Museum reported that hundreds of treasures, from gold rings to classical Greek and Roman gems, were stolen, missing, or damaged.
Visitor Numbers Decline
Adding to the challenges, visitor numbers for galleries and museums in 2024-25 were 13% lower than pre-pandemic levels, raising concerns about financial sustainability.
Government Criticized for Reactive Approach
The committee blasted the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for taking a reactive rather than strategic approach, failing to provide concrete examples of actions taken after the British Library and British Museum incidents. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, committee chair, said: “Our museums and galleries are a treasured part of the fabric of our nation... However, they are being let down by a lack of leadership from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, which appears to have taken an almost hands-off approach.”
Potential Charges for International Visitors
The report also raised the possibility of charging international visitors to cultural institutions, noting that while no decisions have been made, the department plans to explore this option with museums and galleries.
Government Response
A government spokesperson said: “We maintain a close working relationship with our national museums and galleries on individual and collective issues... We are taking a number of concrete steps to strengthen our oversight following the National Audit Office report into financial resilience across our national museums. We will consider the Public Accounts Committee's recommendations and respond in due course.”
