Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Liverpool losing its UNESCO World Heritage Status; and the reasons of UNESCO's decision.

The removal of Liverpool from the UNESCO World Heritage List is a matter of regret to Her Majesty’s Government. My predecessor worked closely with the Mayor of Liverpool and the City Council to defend its status. However, it was clear that, following the development within the site since it was placed on the UNESCO danger list in 2012, some members of the Committee were persuaded that the Outstanding Universal Value of the site had been diminished to the extent that they voted in favour of its removal from the list. The full stated reasons given for the decision of the World Heritage Committee are set out in the record of the meeting on UNESCO’s website.

Despite the loss of Liverpool's World Heritage status, it remains a UNESCO City of Music, a beacon to the world for its culture and heritage, and a tourism destination for visitors from around the world.