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| Funding cuts suspend London blue plaque scheme | Funding cuts suspend London blue plaque scheme |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| English Heritage says it is to stop its blue plaque scheme because government funding cuts had made it impossible for it to continue. | English Heritage says it is to stop its blue plaque scheme because government funding cuts had made it impossible for it to continue. |
| The organisation, due to celebrate 150 years of commemorative plaques in London in 2016, has had its funding cut by 34%. | The organisation, due to celebrate 150 years of commemorative plaques in London in 2016, has had its funding cut by 34%. |
| Last year, English Heritage said it had had to cut back on installations. | Last year, English Heritage said it had had to cut back on installations. |
| The last shortlisted nominations will be put in place over the next two years, the organisation said. | The last shortlisted nominations will be put in place over the next two years, the organisation said. |
| The scheme sees commemorative plaques attached to residences in London that famous personalities have lived in. | The scheme sees commemorative plaques attached to residences in London that famous personalities have lived in. |
| Inspiring Londoners | Inspiring Londoners |
| The last time installations were suspended was due to war-time economies from 1915 to 1919 and 1940 to 1947. | The last time installations were suspended was due to war-time economies from 1915 to 1919 and 1940 to 1947. |
| The scheme, responsible for 869 plaques across London, is solely funded by the government. | The scheme, responsible for 869 plaques across London, is solely funded by the government. |
| Funds have been cut from £130m in 2010/11 to £92m by 2014 with a "front-loaded" cut of £18m in the first year. | Funds have been cut from £130m in 2010/11 to £92m by 2014 with a "front-loaded" cut of £18m in the first year. |
| A spokeswoman said it costs an average £965 per plaque. | A spokeswoman said it costs an average £965 per plaque. |
| She said that by reducing the team by two full-time equivalent posts and suspending installations, about £120,000 would be saved each year for two years. | |
| A shortlist of "tens" of people agreed by the independent advisory panel will be worked through. | A shortlist of "tens" of people agreed by the independent advisory panel will be worked through. |
| A plaque to be unveiled for architect John Nash in Great Russell Street next week will be among the last. | A plaque to be unveiled for architect John Nash in Great Russell Street next week will be among the last. |
| A spokeswoman said the decision to suspend installing plaques had been made before Christmas and new applicants were now being made aware. | A spokeswoman said the decision to suspend installing plaques had been made before Christmas and new applicants were now being made aware. |
| She said it was hoped that by 2015 alternative funding could be secured or that another organisation could take over the scheme. | She said it was hoped that by 2015 alternative funding could be secured or that another organisation could take over the scheme. |
| A statement read: "English Heritage remains committed to the Blue Plaques scheme that has done so much to inspire Londoners and visitors with the history of the capital and its inhabitants." | A statement read: "English Heritage remains committed to the Blue Plaques scheme that has done so much to inspire Londoners and visitors with the history of the capital and its inhabitants." |
| In light of 2010 government cut backs, English Heritage prioritised its planning advice services, the maintenance and conservation of its properties, existing grant commitments and its Buildings at Risk programme. | In light of 2010 government cut backs, English Heritage prioritised its planning advice services, the maintenance and conservation of its properties, existing grant commitments and its Buildings at Risk programme. |
| The plaque scheme was originally run by the Royal Society of Arts. | The plaque scheme was originally run by the Royal Society of Arts. |
| London County Council and then the Greater London Council ran it from 1901 to 1986 before it passed to English Heritage. | London County Council and then the Greater London Council ran it from 1901 to 1986 before it passed to English Heritage. |