The National Museum of Labour History

Analysis

The National Museum of Labour History is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Manchester. It was registered in October 1986, 40 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02041438). It says it provides services, provides advocacy/advice/information and other charitable activities.

In the financial year ending March 2025, The National Museum of Labour History reported income of £1.6m and spending of £1.8m, spending 112% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from April 2021 to March 2025, income fell from £1.6m to £1.6m (-4.2%), an average of -1.1% a year. Over the whole period it spent 110% of the income it received.

Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, The National Museum of Labour History sits at the 96th percentile: it is larger than about 96% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 95th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Sadler's Wells Foundation Ltd (£1.6m), Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain (£1.6m) and Benslow Music Trust (£1.6m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 82%, trading 17% and charitable activities 1.3%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £15k. Charitable activities took 95% of spending and raising funds 3.8%. Reserves of £162k would cover about 1 months of spending at that rate. It employed 34 people.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.