The National Trust has confirmed that 500 members of staff are to lose their job as it looks to make savings amid “sustained cost pressures that are affecting many charities”.

It says the move will “put us in the best position” as it looks to deliver its latest 10-year strategy.

Following a consultation around its voluntary redundancy scheme, the heritage charity says it has “been able to minimise the number of compulsory redundancies”.


It also says that by reducing its pay by £2m a year “we have also been able to add some roles back into our proposed structure”.

The total reduction in headcount is 6%, with 4% from voluntary redundancy and 2% from compulsory job losses.

“We are grateful to all our staff and volunteers for the kindness and resilience they have shown throughout this process, and we thank our trade union, Prospect, for the skilled and diligent support they have shown for our people,” said the charity.

“The savings will help the Trust be successful in a very challenging financial climate, and start to deliver our new strategy goals of restoring nature, ending unequal access to nature and cultural heritage, and inspiring millions more people to support our cause.

“We still have some work to do, but we aim to have new structures and ways of working in place for early 2026.”

“The National Trust has endured for over a century because it continues to adapt and plan for the long term.”

In July the charity announced that 550 jobs were at risk due to financial challenges, including this year’s hike in employer National Insurance contributions and an increase to the National Living Wage.

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