Learned societies should become ‘modern and accessible’

Housing minister urges societies to provide greater access and increase commercialisation to secure London premises

A government minister has said a group of learned societies based at New Burlington House in central London should operate in a more “modern and accessible way” to secure their financial future, amid concerns over “unaffordable rent increases”.

The comments come after the Geological Society, the Linnean Society, the Society of Antiquaries and the Royal Astronomical Society warned their activities were under threat due to a dramatic rise in rent at their Mayfair premises.