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10th March 2009, 10:15 AM
The job losses in archaeology were brought up in the House of Lords yesterday - I can't post the link because of work restrictions on websites but you can play it back on iplayer - BBC Today in Parliament 11.30pm radio 4. It's only a short segment towards the end but still nice to see someone has been paying attention!
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10th March 2009, 11:18 AM
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10th March 2009, 11:40 AM
This is very important:
"Lord Davies of Oldham: My Lords, the noble Lord is very knowledgeable in this area, and I take his representation very seriously. We will look at that matter."
Lord Howarth of Newport: My Lords, will my noble friend assure the House that the Government will do all they can to ensure that the archaeology sector is not weakened in the recession? Will he confirm that the forthcoming planning policy statement on heritage and archaeology will not diminish existing protections for archaeology, particularly in respect of the duties that local planning authorities may lay upon developers, and that the Government look to local authorities not to reduce the capacity of their historic environment services?
Lord Davies of Oldham: My Lords, the Government are not concerned to do anything other than to enhance as far as we are able our heritage, of which buildings play such an important part. We recognise that both public authorities and those organisations which receive public funds play a critical role in this area. This is clearly a difficult time, but it is clear right across government, industry and the economy that if we lose skilled people at this time and set them at naught, the progress of recovery will be that much slower and that Britain will have greater difficulties in competing with the wider world unless we enhance the skills base. That is why, at the end of last year, the Government year emphasised the amount of resources that they were putting into enhancing and protecting the skills base in this country, of which architecture is such a significant part.
Noble Lords: Archaeology
Peter
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10th March 2009, 11:47 AM
Is the Earl of Glasgow one of your drinking buddies David! Nonetheless at least we are getting some (if not small) consideration at government level
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10th March 2009, 12:35 PM
I think this is a good as it gets in terms of a government statement that government will put money into protecting archaeological jobs. They are at least considering it.
The questions/issues are what can it do practically and quickly which will have the most effect. I think this is something the industry as a whole should give some thought to.
Peter Wardle
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10th March 2009, 01:07 PM
'other than to enhance as far as we are able our heritage'
As a former senior public sector manager, this language is very reassuring...
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10th March 2009, 03:53 PM
Quote:quote:Originally posted by drpeterwardle
I think this is a good as it gets in terms of a government statement that government will put money into protecting archaeological jobs. They are at least considering it.
The questions/issues are what can it do practically and quickly which will have the most effect. I think this is something the industry as a whole should give some thought to.
Peter Wardle
Hi Chaps
I think it clearly indicates the fact that the whole HP review was based on improving protection of buildings, that EH have a building bias and that the DCMS thinks only in building terms.
What is required is local government archies to get out there and get involved in CPD for planners, policy planners, highways dept, major projects teams and transport and development teams. Make sure they understand archaeology is a part of every project not a costly add-on. Use the most enthusiastic knowledgeable archie to give the CPD talk and really push the pre-determination nature of archaeology and the need to budget.
Also, talk to members and senior planners! Get them to understand that losing a job in archaeology is exactly the same as losing a job in construction, or retail. That letting developers off the hook as far as archaeology goes will just mean more unemployment not less!
We can't kick start the economy but curators do have a duty to try and ensure archaeology is protected and I believe this can only be achieved by making sure contractual units and consultants are highly skilled professionals.
whooa... I'll calm down now!
Steven
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10th March 2009, 06:13 PM
Quote:quote:Originally posted by flashdigger
Is the Earl of Glasgow one of your drinking buddies David! Nonetheless at least we are getting some (if not small) consideration at government level
I saw the Earl of Glasgow on a watching brief once (no joke). We didn't find much
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10th March 2009, 08:08 PM
Sounds to me like a holding action conversation, whilst the maujor key motions are being brought to bear.
I wouldn't worry about the notion that archie's have to take a sideways walk.
traditionally we are an industry that responds to the economy on a fine scale.
we can't maintain the growth we have developed, as a fact.
What concerns is how the dismantling process moves forward.
Either in an self undermining manner, a stable manner, or a self destructive manner.
Lets face it we are not the be all and end all, but we do span a key use in terms of education.
why consider why bankers should get teaching posts on the fast track, whilst we won't consider our industry beyond an over grown industry (much the same as many).
Retailers will close, it will be difficult to transfer a great many of those jobs outside of education.
The finance sector will be a pheonix in a guise of sorts, because lets face it thats what has got to happen.
In the short term they need jobs and to get a clear direction for income, but in the long run, a money driven maniac still needs the money to feed the beast (and they keep coming like a production line).
The thing is think about what we as individuals bring to the economy?
We are in fact a skilled, educated, mobile work force who are more interested in learning and living cheaply than the average uk resident.
The question really is are we JUST archaeologists, or are we people as well?
txt is
Mike
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10th March 2009, 10:15 PM
It is very good to have this in Parliament.. something to keep going.. and we must keep this going with a postive action.
we are people. as Yellow Pete says.. many people have lost not only their job but their life.
we keep it going.. and keep it high profile.
?When a sinister person means to be your enemy, they always start by trying to become your friend.?
William Blake
