Museums in England largely oppose proposal to charge admission for foreign tourists

Museums across England have largely opposed a UK government proposal to explore charging admission for overseas visitors at national museums, warning it could harm the country’s reputation and undermine universal access. The debate was revived in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s response to a review of Arts Council England by Labour peer Margaret Hodge, who suggested potential new income streams and controversially raised the idea of digital ID checks at museum entrances. Hodge told Parliament’s Communications and Digital Select Committee on 14 April that she would oppose charging until a universal digital ID system exists, and estimated the policy would raise “less than ten million” pounds, questioning whether it is worth the “hassle” and “unfairness.” Free admission for all visitors was reintroduced by Labour nearly 25 years ago and is credited with boosting visits, while DCMS grant-in-aid for national museums fell 18% in real terms between 2010 and 2023.

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