Heritage is an important source of employment and draws millions of visitors each year. England's unique collection of historic buildings provides premises for businesses, homes for residents and can help reverse decline in town centres.

The latest statistical data has been collected and analysed for Historic England and is published in a new report: 'Heritage and the Economy 2017'. It shows that in England:

• Heritage directly contributed £11.9 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) (the measure of the value of goods and services produced in an area, industry or sector of the economy.) This is equivalent to 2% of national GVA
• There are 278,000 people employed in heritage
• Heritage tourism generated £16.4 billion in spending by domestic and international visitors
• Repair and maintenance of historic buildings directly generated £9.6 billion in construction sector output

The report provides data on:

• Heritage and tourism
• Heritage and regeneration
• Heritage and Business
• Heritage and Construction
• Heritage and Volunteering
• Heritage and Social Value

Access the Heritage and Economy Report