Treasury Press Release 23rd March.

Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Priti Patel
PRESS RELEASE – The RAF Museum in Hendon today outlined its plans to celebrate and commemorate the Centenary of the RAF in 2018, after the Chancellor announced in his Budget last week that the museum is to receive a £2.5 million grant to support the programme.The museum revealed its ambitious programme of activities for the summer of 2018, as the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Priti Patel, visited the museum to learn how the funding will be used.The museum’s plans include re-landscaping the site to create a sense of the original London Aerodrome that stood on the ground nearly 100 years ago. The museum will also build a new visitor centre with a café, shop and soft play area.A series of new permanent exhibitions will open in the summer of 2018. ‘The First 100 Years of the RAF’ and ‘Now and the Future’ exhibitions will enable visitors to understand the story of the RAF from its earliest years in the First World War to its global role today. The “Air Power in an Age of Uncertainty” exhibition will focus on the roles of the RAF since the early 1980s.

The museum is also rolling out a new digital programme, “My RAF Story”, which will collect and share personal stories of the men and women of the Service to ensure they are preserved for future generations. Additionally, a new learning programme will aim to inspire young people in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Priti Patel said:“The RAF Museum in Hendon is a great cause and I’m delighted that the LIBOR funding will provide a necessary cash injection towards their plans to celebrate this important landmark in the RAF’s history.“So far, through LIBOR fines on banks, we’ve taken around £450m from those who broke the rules and demonstrated terrible values, and used the funds to support our brave forces across the UK, and other good causes.‎“This donation is a fitting way to mark the extraordinary contribution the RAF has made and continues to make in service to our country.”

Chief Executive of the RAF Museum Maggie Appleton said:“The Museum’s RAF Centenary Programme is incredibly important as it commemorates 100 years of the Royal Air Force. The story we tell reflects the bravery, ingenuity and dedication of our people. It is a story that belongs to every one of us. We are therefore very grateful for the support and acknowledgement we received.”

The Royal Air Force (RAF) Museum

The Royal Air Force (RAF) Museum was established in 1968 as a legacy of the RAF’s fiftieth anniversary. It opened on its London (Hendon) site in 1972 and at its Cosford site in the West Midlands in 1979. The Museum is a National Museum and a registered charity and currently welcomes around 700,000 visitors a year. Entrance is free of charge and the museum is supported by around £8.5m grant in aid via the MOD, as well as by income from its fundraising and trading activities. Website rafmuseum.org.uk/london/

LIBOR fines

Since October 2012 the Government has been able to make a series of LIBOR fines announcements where it has been possible to use fines levied from those who have demonstrated the worst of values to support those who demonstrate the best of British values.Of the £450m received over £250m has been given directly to support military charities and other good causes. This in addition to the £10m pa commitment to support the Armed Forces Covenant in perpetuity

I recall people here spitting blood about the possible closure of the chapel at Biggin Hill. Seems to have gone unnoticed that some of this money is going there too.

From RAF Museum today.

Chancellor of the Exchequer provides RAF Museum with £2.5M in today’s budget
Financial penalties levied on banks involved in the LIBOR lending rate-fixing scandal will benefit the RAF Museum in London, the Chancellor announced in the last Budget before the General Election. George Osborne said the government will help renovate the RAF Museum.
The announcement came after Hendon MP Matthew Offord held discussions with the new Chief Executive of the RAF Museum, Maggie Appleton at the end of February. During these talks Ms Appleton outlined the plans of the Museum to commemorate the centenary of the Royal Air Force in 2018 and asked Matthew what assistance he could provide in securing the support from the Treasury.
Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said “The RAF Museum in Hendon is a great cause that Matthew Offord has campaigned strongly in support of. I’m delighted that they will get millions of pounds in LIBOR fines – a fitting way to mark the extraordinary contribution the RAF has made and continues to make in service to our country.”
Chief Executive of the RAF Museum Maggie Appleton said “The Museum’s Centenary Project is incredibly important as it commemorates 100 years of the Royal Air Force. The story we tell reflects the bravery, ingenuity and dedication of our people. It is a story that belongs to every one of us. We are therefore very grateful for the support and acknowledgement we received today. We are a happy museum!”