Museums When British museums and art galleries were given a lifeline so that they could open their doors from free, visitor figures soared. Now we have the catch:

”The Treasury is introducing a new “resource budgeting” system to ensure that government departments and funded-bodies make efficient use of their assets. From the financial year 2003-4, a capital charge (effectively a tax) of 6% will be levied on assets. Institutions such as national museums will initially receive additional grant in aid from DCMS to cover this, so in the first year it will represent a paper transaction. But from then on, increases in capital charges will have to be met by individual museums unless they succeed in negotiating additional grant in aid.”

Which in effect means that without charging, museums are going to find a shortfall in their yearly budget. He giveth with one hand a screws you over with the other.

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