Prime Minister announces funding for IWM and reiterates support for free admission 19 Oct 2012

The Prime Minister launched plans to commemorate the centenary of the World War One at the Imperial War Museum (IWM) in London on 11th October. During his speech, David Cameron, also reiterated the Government's support for the policy of free admission to national museums, of which the IWM is one. The Prime Minister said:

"we should also recognise that in the decade since the introduction of free access to our national museums, the annual number of visitors here has increased by almost two-thirds.  I passionately believe we should hold on to this heritage and pass it down the generations.  That is why, even in difficult economic times, we are right to maintain free entry to national museums like this.  It is why we will continue to do so".

During the speech, the Prime Minister outlined how the Government will mark the centenary of the First World War, including making an additional £5m available to the IWM London for the refurbishment of the World War One galleries. IWM London is leading the First World War Partnership, a growing network of 500 national and international organisations, who will all mark the centenary. In addition, the Government has made £5m available for an education programme which will enable pupils and teachers from state secondary schools to discover more about those who served in the Great War and to visit the battlefields.

The Prime Minister outlined why is was important for Government to support the commemoration, and warmly supported IWM's role at the heart of those proposals. This full speech can be read here.