New Government will NOT destroy historic wills

Last year, the previous Government announced its intention to destroy millions of historic wills, dating back over 150 years – a move described by leading historians as “sheer vandalism” and “insane”.

Today, the new Government has responded to a consultation on the storage and retention of wills, which was commissioned after public outcry.

I am pleased to say that this Government has today confirmed we will not destroy these historic artefacts.

Minister of State, Sarah Sackman KC, said:

“Thousands of people expressed their fierce opposition to the previous government's proposal to destroy millions of historic wills, some dating back to the 1850s.

“These documents are an indispensable bridge to the lives of those who came before us. I am pleased to confirm that we will not destroy them, they will remain in storage, and – on request – are available for all to access.”