National Trust confirms it will cut 1,200 jobs

The charity - which cares for historic houses, abbeys and parkland - lost £200million this year due to the enforced closure of its attractions.

Over 1,000 jobs are now at risk as part of a redundancy process which will see the organisation lose 13 per cent of its workforce.

The redundancies are part of a drive to cut £100million in expenditure and there will be other operational changes.

The National Trust currently has around 9,500 employees - but has doubled in size since 2010.

The cuts would see staffing return to 2016 levels.

The budget for seasonal recruitment will be considerably reduced and there will be fewer staff on hourly-wage contracts.

Savings will also be made on office and travel costs, IT, marketing and contract renegotiation.

Staff were given the news today on a video call by director general Hilary McGrady.

She told them: “It’s with huge regret that I am telling you today about the need to cut jobs. The Trust’s strength is its people. Our institution has survived so long - through two world wars and a number of economic downturns, thanks to staff, volunteers and supporters. We would not be making these savings had we not exhausted every other possibility. We need to act now to ensure we are sustainable in the future.

“The nation’s beautiful places are not only for looking at, but for singing and dancing and reading, learning, cooking, crafting and creating in. And they belong to everyone.”

£124million worth of conservation and restoration projects have already been deferred. Many staff have been furloughed and emergency loans have been taken out.

The operational future of attractions such as stately homes remains uncertain, with social distancing meaning their visitor capacity is likely to have to be reduced for some time.

McGrady added: “We are going through one of the biggest crises in living memory. All aspects of our home, work and school lives, and our finances and communities have been affected, and like so many other organisations the National Trust has been hit very hard.

“The places and things the National Trust cares for are needed now more than ever, as the nation needs to recuperate and recover its spirit and wellbeing. Our focus will remain on the benefit we deliver to people, every day

“We have reviewed our spending and ways of working to ensure we emerge from this crisis in a strong position to keep on protecting and caring for places so people and nature can thrive.

“It is deeply upsetting to face losing colleagues and we are committed to supporting all of those affected. Sadly, we have no other course of action left open. In making these changes now, I am confident we will be well-placed to face the challenges ahead, protecting the places that visitors love and ensuring our conservation work continues long into the future.”

Roles relating to the care and preservation of houses, gardens and collections will be protected as much as possible.

The Trust’s plan and proposed redundancies, which are also being discussed with its union Prospect, are now subject to a 45-day consultation period.

The Trust did, however, announce that public donations via a text messaging service had increased significantly during the crisis.

In Yorkshire, the National Trust runs Beningbrough Hall; Brimham Rocks; Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden; Goddards House - which is also their regional office - Rievaulx Terrace; Nunnington Hall; Old Coastguard Station at Robin Hood's Bay and The Treasurer's House in York.