Heritage Counts 2009 is the eighth annual survey of the state of England’s historic environment. Each year Heritage Counts explores the role of the historic environment in wider social and eocnomic agendas. This year the theme is the role of the historic environment in creating places where people want to work and live. Previous themes include:

• Historic environment and climate change – Heritage Counts 2008
• Heritage and education – Heritage Counts 2007
• Historic enviornmment and communities – Heritage Counts 2006
• Historic environment and the rural economy – Heritage Counts 2005
• Historic environment and the economic value – Heritage Counts 2003

Alongside the national report are nine regional reports which provide further detail on the state of the historic environment in each of England’s regions.
Heritage Counts provides decision-makers with the data and information they need to make informed choices about the historic environment. It also highlights any key changes in the sector over the past year. The national report contains information on:

• Historic assets
• Historic assets at risk
• Planning consents
• Funding in the historic sector
• Employment and skills
• Economic and social benefits (participation, volunteering, education, regeneration, community cohesion)

Heritage Counts is prepared by English Heritage on behalf of the Historic Environment Review Executive Committee and the Regional Historic Environment Forums.