Tourist admission fees at UK national museums would be 'ideologically at odds' with their global collections, says new report

The Cultural Policy Unit report highlights the complexities and potential negative impacts of introducing admission fees for international visitors at UK national museums. It argues that such a move would not only contradict the ideological commitment to global sharing of collections but could also reduce visitor numbers and related revenue. Former museum leaders have debated about the merits of charging fees, but this new report emphasizes the importance of maintaining free access as part of Britain's soft power and national education policy, warning of the reputational damage that could ensue from changes in admission practices.

Britain holds its national collections for the world, not just its own residents. Opening them up to the world is part of our 'soft power', and there would be reputational damage to the UK if we reversed this.

Visitor numbers fall significantly with the charging of admissions fees, affecting knock-on spending in museum shops and catering, and the Treasury has a nasty habit of lowering public funding as it sees self-generated income growing.

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