Culture secretary Tessa Jowell has revealed a culture funding package for the next three years which promises a ‘record uplift’ for English museums and galleries.

The culture settlement is part of the government’s 2004 spending review.

The package will provide above-inflation rises for the national museums’ running costs, guaranteeing free admission for the next three years and a 200 per cent raise in capital funding for the national museums.

The culture department will also increasing regional museum funding by 50 per cent in order to continue to the rollout of the Renaissance in the Regions programme.

In addition, English Heritage capital work will also receive £12m in funding for projects such as Kennilworth Castle and Apethorpe House.

Jowell has promised an increase in spending power for the arts during the three-year period which will include £5m for Liverpool to aid the city to realise its 2008 European Capital of Culture plans.

Jowell said: “Museums have been really successful over this period, with free admission to the nationals bringing a massive lift in visit numbers.

“The best of our cultural heritage and its benefits should be available to everyone, regardless of their background or where they live.”

The culture settlement will compliment an expected income to the Heritage Lottery Fund over the same period of approximately £480m. Jowell also confirmed that local government spending should rise with an uplift above inflation for spending on ‘cultural services’. Details: www.culture.gov.uk