Until now, prospective buildings which had undergone significant changes or replacement since a nominee had lived or worked there were unable to receive a plaque.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) warned this rule had left “many brilliant people or groups throughout history” unable to be recognised.

The DCMS insisted reforming the scheme to remove this barrier would “help ensure more of Britain’s diverse history is represented”.

The programme has now been expanded to historic figures linked to lost music and performance venues and ex-residents of demolished homes, as well as workers and innovators connected to former factories and workshops.

The public are now able to put forward their nominations under the revised rules.

Unveiling the shake-up, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “Throughout our history, it has been ordinary, extraordinary people who have built our country and created lasting change.

“From millworkers who fought for fair wages, safe working conditions and the rights of women, to the Windrush generation who helped shape our NHS, transport, manufacturing industries and more – too often their contributions have been airbrushed from our national story.

“Until now, it was difficult to commemorate their achievements with a blue plaque. These rules were outdated, unfair and do not reflect who we are as a nation.”

She added: “That’s why we have changed the rules so that we can properly commemorate the heroes who shaped our communities and changed our country for the better.

“I hope people across the country will come forward and nominate the people whose contributions are a vital part of our national story and deserve to be told and remembered.”

Following the success of the programme in London, the National Blue Plaque Scheme was launched in 2023 and is run by Historic England on the DCMS’ behalf.

Ministers handed Historic England £100,000 this year to support the national scheme, with the money being used for grants to local community groups and grassroots organisations.

The funding provided to the groups goes towards researching and developing nominations that address historic underrepresentation and improve geographical reach.

The revised changes to building criteria will affect both the London and nationwide schemes.

British-Nigerian historian David Olusoga welcomed the expansion, saying: “English history has been shaped by women as well as men, by the poor as well as the wealthy, and by people across England and not just those who lived in London.

“These welcome changes will liberate Historic England and English Heritage to celebrate the stories of England’s hidden heroes with their beloved blue plaques.”

Historic England’s head of participation programmes, Ellie Djerir, insisted every community in Britain had people who “deserved to be remembered”, but the buildings they were connected to were no longer standing.

“By widening the criteria of the National Blue Plaque Scheme, we can now celebrate more of the people who have shaped our history, wherever they lived and worked,” she said.

Applications for both the London and nationwide schemes will run until January 13, with new plaques based from the nominations being unveiled next year.

Labour Rips Up Blue Plaque Scheme to Feature More Homes of ‘Diverse British Heroes’ in Major Heritage Shake-Up

Labour has announced a major overhaul of Britain’s historic Blue Plaque scheme, changing the rules to allow more people from different backgrounds to be commemorated at locations connected to their lives.

The changes, announced by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy on 12 November 2026, will allow blue plaques to be installed at buildings and sites that have been substantially altered, redeveloped or even demolished since the historical figures lived or worked there.

The Government says the reforms will help recognise people whose contributions to British history have been overlooked, including women, working-class communities, ethnic minority groups and members of the Windrush generation.

However, the announcement is likely to reignite debate about how Britain’s national history should be represented, who deserves public recognition and whether traditional heritage institutions are placing too much emphasis on diversity initiatives.

For supporters, the changes represent an overdue opportunity to celebrate people whose achievements have been neglected. Critics may question whether changing established historical criteria risks turning a respected national heritage programme into another instrument of political and cultural debate.

At the heart of the controversy is a simple question: should Britain’s historic plaques reflect the full range of people who helped shape the country, and how should those decisions be made?

What Exactly Has Labour Changed?

The National Blue Plaque Scheme and Greater London Blue Plaques Scheme have traditionally required a strong connection between a historical figure and a surviving building.

Under the previous rules, a plaque generally had to be attached to a building that remained standing and had not been substantially altered beyond recognition.

This meant that people associated with demolished homes, former factories, lost music venues and redeveloped streets could struggle to receive recognition through the scheme.

The Government has now removed that restriction.

Under the revised criteria, plaques can be placed on buildings that have been substantially changed or replaced, as well as locations connected to the historical figures being commemorated.

These locations can include former homes, shops, workplaces, community buildings and streets.

The change means that someone who lived in a demolished terraced house or worked in a factory that no longer exists could potentially receive a plaque marking the historical location.

The Government argues that this will allow more stories to be told and make the scheme more geographically representative.

Importantly, the reforms do not remove the requirement for historical significance.

A person must still have made a significant contribution to human welfare or happiness, or an exceptional contribution to their particular field.

Individuals must also have been dead for at least 20 years.

Lisa Nandy Says Britain’s History Has Been Overlooked

Lisa Nandy defended the changes by arguing that the traditional criteria excluded too many people whose achievements helped shape modern Britain.

The Culture Secretary highlighted the contributions of industrial workers, women campaigners and members of the Windrush generation.

She argued that people who fought for fair wages, improved working conditions and women’s rights had often been overlooked in traditional historical commemorations.

Nandy also pointed to the contribution made by Caribbean migrants who helped develop Britain’s National Health Service, transport networks and manufacturing industries.

Her argument is that Britain’s national story should include people from every part of society rather than concentrating predominantly on famous individuals, wealthy families and prominent political figures.

The Government believes that changing the rules will allow local communities to nominate people whose achievements deserve greater recognition.

Nandy has encouraged members of the public to put forward names and locations that they believe should be commemorated.

The announcement forms part of a broader effort to address what ministers describe as historic underrepresentation.

£100,000 Government Funding for the Programme

The reforms are accompanied by £100,000 in funding provided to Historic England.

The money will support the programme and provide grants for community groups and grassroots organisations researching potential nominations.

The intention is to help local organisations uncover stories that might otherwise remain unknown.

Such projects could involve researching former industrial communities, identifying overlooked historical figures and working with local archives.

The funding is also intended to improve geographical representation by encouraging nominations from areas that have received less attention from national heritage programmes.

The Government hopes that local historians and community organisations will play a greater role in identifying people whose contributions deserve recognition.

However, the announcement also raises questions about how public funding will be allocated and how nominations will be assessed.

Transparency will be important to ensure that the scheme remains focused on historical achievement rather than political preferences.

Who Could Receive a Blue Plaque?

The Government has provided examples of people already recognised through the national scheme.

They demonstrate that the programme has always included a broad range of historical achievements.

Among those honoured is Daphne Steele, who became the first Black matron in the NHS in 1964.

Her career represents an important milestone in the history of British healthcare and the contribution of Caribbean women to public services.

Another figure is Jack Leslie, the pioneering Black footballer who earned an England call-up but was denied the opportunity to represent his country.

The scheme has also recognised Frank Soo, the first footballer of East Asian descent to play for the England men’s team.

Other recipients include George Harrison of The Beatles, Hollywood actor Cary Grant, pioneering ceramic designer Clarice Cliff and mathematician Mary Cartwright.

The list demonstrates that blue plaques are not limited to politicians or traditional national figures.

They can recognise contributions to music, science, sport, literature, industry, healthcare and social reform.

The revised criteria could make it easier to commemorate additional people whose homes and workplaces have disappeared.

The Historical Figures Already Being Celebrated

The National Blue Plaque Scheme has honoured 12 individuals at locations across England.

These include:

• Daphne Steele, the first Black matron in the NHS.
• George Harrison, guitarist and songwriter with The Beatles.
• Jack Leslie, pioneering Black footballer.
• Frank Soo, the first England men’s international footballer of East Asian descent.
• Clarice Cliff, influential ceramic designer.
• Cary Grant, internationally renowned Hollywood actor.
• Mary Beale, pioneering female artist.
• Mary Cartwright, distinguished mathematician.
• Dorothea Bate, pioneering palaeontologist.
• Judy Fryd, founder of the charity Mencap.
• Esmé Church, actress and theatre director.
• Reverend Wilbert Awdry, creator of Thomas the Tank Engine.

These figures come from different backgrounds and made contributions in very different fields.

The expanded scheme could allow more people with similarly significant achievements to be recognised.

Professor David Olusoga Welcomes the Changes

Historian Professor David Olusoga has welcomed the announcement.

He argued that English history has been shaped by women as well as men, working-class people as well as wealthy individuals, and communities across the country rather than simply those concentrated in London.

He believes the revised criteria will give Historic England and English Heritage greater flexibility to recognise people whose stories have previously been overlooked.

Historic England has also supported the changes.

Its representatives argue that many communities have important historical figures whose homes and workplaces no longer exist.

The new approach will allow those stories to be connected with their original locations even when the physical buildings have disappeared.

English Heritage has similarly welcomed the greater flexibility, saying it could create additional opportunities to recognise a wider range of individuals.

Is Labour Rewriting Britain’s History?

The announcement is likely to attract political attention because questions about Britain’s historical identity have become increasingly contentious.

Supporters argue that expanding the Blue Plaque Scheme does not rewrite history.

Instead, they believe it makes the historical record more complete by recognising people whose contributions have received insufficient attention.

They argue that commemorating industrial workers, women campaigners and minority communities does not diminish the achievements of other historical figures.

Rather, it allows a broader understanding of how Britain developed.

Critics, however, may question whether the Government is placing too much emphasis on identity and representation when deciding which historical figures deserve recognition.

They may also argue that established heritage schemes should avoid becoming associated with the political priorities of whichever government happens to be in office.

There is also a practical concern about maintaining consistent historical standards.

If the criteria are expanded, the organisations responsible for approving nominations must ensure that decisions are based on reliable evidence and demonstrable achievement.

The public should be confident that every plaque represents a meaningful contribution to history.

The best way to protect the credibility of the scheme is to ensure that historical research, rather than political pressure, remains the deciding factor.

Public Nominations Are Now Open

Members of the public can now nominate individuals and groups for recognition under the revised arrangements.

The nomination window for both the National Blue Plaque Scheme and the London scheme will remain open until 13 January 2027.

The successful plaques are expected to be unveiled during 2027.

Historic England will administer the national programme on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

English Heritage will continue to manage the London scheme.

The Government is encouraging community organisations, historians and members of the public to investigate their local history and identify people whose achievements deserve wider recognition.

This could include former residents, industrial innovators, campaigners, artists, scientists and people who made important contributions to their communities.

The expanded eligibility rules mean that the disappearance of a building will no longer automatically prevent a historical figure from being commemorated at that location.

Conclusion: A New Chapter for Britain’s Blue Plaque Tradition

Labour’s decision to overhaul the Blue Plaque Scheme represents a significant change to one of Britain’s most recognisable heritage traditions.

By removing the requirement for historical buildings to remain substantially unchanged, the Government has opened the door to a wider range of nominations and historical stories.

Lisa Nandy believes the reforms will help recognise people whose achievements have been overlooked, particularly women, working-class communities and members of Britain’s ethnic minority communities.

The £100,000 funding allocation will also provide opportunities for grassroots organisations to research local history and bring forgotten contributions to public attention.

Supporters will see the reforms as an important step towards a more complete national historical record.

Others will want reassurance that the scheme will continue to prioritise historical evidence and exceptional achievement rather than political considerations.

Ultimately, Britain’s history belongs to all the people who helped build the country.

Its industrial workers, scientists, artists, campaigners, entrepreneurs, musicians and public servants have all played a role in shaping the nation.

Recognising a wider range of historical figures need not mean abandoning Britain’s traditional heritage. It can instead provide a richer understanding of the people and communities responsible for creating it.

The real test of the new scheme will be whether it produces a collection of plaques that commands public respect, celebrates genuine achievement and helps future generations understand the extraordinary variety of stories behind Britain’s national history.