Petition · past parliament · Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Establish a Register of Protected works of Literature

Closed 34 signatures

What the petition asks

We believe English language is our greatest cultural contribution to the world.
We therefore call on Government to establish a Register of Protected Literature, like the Listing system for protected buildings, which cannot be published in a rewritten form, for example, in the name of 'sensitivity'.

In an era when established literary treasures such as the works of Roald Dahl and PG Wodehouse are being republished with changes to the text, to remove 'problematic' language, we call upon Government to follow in the tradition of protecting at risk listed structures, and establish a Register of Protected Literature.

Inclusion in this list should be decided by an independent non-political commission, and inclusion on the list should include appropriately and clearly defined legally enforceable protections.

Timeline

18 Apr 2023 Petition opened for signatures
18 Oct 2023 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 34
Status Closed
Department Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Opened 18 Apr 2023
Closed 18 Oct 2023

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.