This is the judgement of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on the way in which the Government handled the abolition of the Museums Libraries and Archives Council.  The words are set out in the Select Committee's report  Funding for the Arts and Heritage published on 22nd March 2011.

The report contains the committee's findings following a wide ranging review. It goes on to express  concern that the decision was taken without any clear idea of which bodies would take on the Council's functions and that the Arts Council does not have the expertise or the resources to do so adequately.

It recognises that volunteers play an incredibly valuable role in the heritage sector, but states that volunteers cannot plug the skills gap left by a reduction in the number of heritage professionals. It urges Government not to be tempted to think that the success of the volunteer sector can excuse reducing the number of skilled professionals and emphasizes that the network of volunteers must not be damaged by the spending cuts. It believes that the idea of a “Big Society” is seen in action nowhere better than in heritage volunteering.

To read the full report click here