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War memorials have been handed a £2 million boost as ministers vowed to protect them as "sacred spaces". The funding will build on The National Heritage Memorial Fund’s ongoing work to protect some of the UK’s finest heritage sites, and enable more communities to access support for maintaining their local war memorials. The announcement comes as communities across the UK gather to mark Remembrance Sunday , and honour those who gave their lives in service. Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy said: "War memorials are more than historic structures. They are sacred spaces where communities come together to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom. “As we mark Remembrance Sunday and reflect on the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, it is our duty to ensure these memorials are conserved with the dignity and respect they deserve. “This funding will help communities across the country preserve these vital tributes, so that the sacrifices of all who have served, past and present, are never forgotten and their legacy endures for generations to come." Working with the War Memorials Trust, Historic England and other partners, the funding will support communities across the UK to protect and repair their local war memorials through grants, expert advice and guidance. Director of War Memorials Trust, Ms Frances Moreton said: "The UK’s 100,000 war memorials remind us all of the millions whose lives have been ended, or impacted, by it. Preserving these shared symbols helps us all to understand the consequences of conflict, encourage later generations to avoid such suffering and continue to say, we still remember." It comes with the King set to lead the nation in a two-minute silence to remember those who died in conflict. Charles will take centre stage at the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday, joined by other members of the royal family and senior politicians who will lay wreaths to honour the fallen. Some 10,000 armed forces veterans will take part in the Royal British Legion’s march-past and about 20 Second World War veterans will attend, 80 years on from the conflict’s end. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “This Remembrance Sunday, we pause as a nation to honour all those who have served our country. “We reflect on the extraordinary courage of our armed forces in the world wars and subsequent conflicts, whose service secured the freedoms we cherish today. “Eighty years since the end of the Second World War, we remember a generation who stood against tyranny and shaped our future. Their legacy is peace and our duty is to protect it."
