Committee publication · Estimate memoranda · 19 May 2026
The National Archives Main Estimate 2026-27 memorandum
From: Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Inquiry: The work of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Summary
The National Archives' Main Estimate memorandum for 2026-27 sets out the department's spending plans across Resource DEL (£46.2m), Resource AME (£8.9m), and Capital DEL (£6.0m). Resource DEL decreased 13.1% year-on-year primarily due to HM Treasury reclassifying depreciation from ROEL to AME, while retained income increased via grants, rental income, and a new military service record request service.
Key findings
- Resource DEL funding sought is £46.2m, down £7.0m (13.1%) from last year's final budget, driven by depreciation reclassification and increased retained income (c.£2m)
- Resource AME increased to £8.9m (100% increase) due to HM Treasury policy change moving depreciation and amortisation from ROEL to AME
- Capital DEL set at £6.0m, down £1.9m (24.5%), aligned with Spending Review plans; includes £2.7m ring-fenced for legacy IT replacement to improve cybersecurity resilience
- Administration costs reduced to £12.0m (12.7% decrease) through staff restructuring and implementation of Adaptive budgeting and Workday ERP systems
- No reserve claims, new funding announcements, or policy changes requiring ambit updates have been made for 2026-27
Tone
ProceduralTopics
public-financedigital-infrastructurecybersecurity
Key actors
The National Archives, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, HM Treasury, Saul Nassé
Notable line
“Both ROEL and CDEL funding was allocated at the Spending Review to replace legacy IT equipment and processes to increase our resilience to cybersecurity attacks and to streamline our workflows.”
Key Quotes
“We work to bring together and secure the future of the public record, both digital and physical, for future generations.”
“Both ROEL and CDEL funding was allocated at the Spending Review to replace legacy IT equipment and processes to increase our resilience to cybersecurity attacks and to streamline our workflows.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗