On a visit to First World War sites in Flanders, Belgium, today the Prime Minister, David Cameron, will announce £5 million in new funding to help conserve, repair and protect First World War memorials and graves across the UK and overseas where British and Commonwealth servicemen and women are buried. The cash - funded by the LIBOR fines and spread over the four years of the First World War centenary - will also fund new educational materials including downloadable guides to help explain the importance of sites and to honour the sacrifice of those buried or commemorated there.
Speaking about the announcement, David Cameron said: "Next year's centenary of the start of the First World War will be a time for the whole nation to reflect on the events that saw so many young people of that generation make the ultimate sacrifice. Nearly all of us in Britain have some family connection with that conflict, and it is the many millions of small, personal stories that resonate as loudly for us as the big, world-changing battles and campaigns.
Mr Cameron continued by saying: "As part of that, it is absolutely right that we help communities up and down the country to ensure that their local war memorials are a fitting tribute to the fallen and increase people's understanding of what happened. We simply should not tolerate damaged war graves in our country. Our memorials and cemeteries must be places of respect and education. This funding will help make it happen, and I am proud to be able to announce it today."
The Prime Minister will visit the Island of Ireland Peace Park and the Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery with the Irish Taisoeach as well as the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing where they will be joined by the Belgian Prime Minister, Elio Di Rupo.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is talking to key partners and stakeholders - including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, War Memorials Trust, English Heritage, the Wolfson Foundation and others - about how to ensure communities can access the new money, which will be available from next year as grants to local communities who apply and whose application qualifies.
Frances Moreton, Director of War Memorials Trust, said: "War Memorials Trust is delighted to hear about this additional funding and looks forward to working closely with DCMS, English Heritage and others to ensure that war memorials across the UK are repaired and conserved through the centenary."
Alan Pateman-Jones, Director-General of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, said: "The Commonwealth War Graves Commission welcomes this initiative. Whilst the Commission is suitably funded to meet its duty of care for the graves, memorials and records of Commonwealth casualties of both World Wars, it is important to ensure that current and future generations understand both the reasons for and the circumstances of, the sacrifices made. Such generous financial support will enable the Commission to better engage and explain its worldwide task and, through this, ensure ongoing commemoration."
Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said: "English Heritage is proud to be playing its full part in remembering the First World War. As well as protecting other sites relating to 1914-18, mounting exhibitions, and sharing our research, we will be working with volunteers from War Memorials Trust and listing 500 war memorials each year. These memorials represent the greatest wave of commemoration ever seen in this country: listing will ensure that they receive proper attention. They stand at the hearts of communities across the land and we want to help ensure that these highly poignant reminders are kept in a condition befitting their importance."
