BOLTON MP Ruth Kelly has welcomed news that the Government is one step closer to making national museums and galleries free for everyone.

Her comments follow the publication by the Treasury of a list of bodies that will benefit from the VAT refund scheme announced in the last budget.

The museums and galleries featured on the list will receive VAT refunds when they allow the public free admission to their permanent collections, thus removing the VAT incentive for them to charge for entry.

The list includes the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum, the Imperial War Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, the British Library, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Royal Armouries, the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, and the National Museums and Galleries of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Bolton West MP and Treasury minister said: "Free access to our national museums and galleries was one of the 25 steps to a better Britain that Labour promised to deliver during the recent General Election. Only a few weeks into this parliament, that pledge is coming to fruition."

Under the new scheme, announced in the budget and legislated for in the subsequent Finance Bill, all national museums and galleries which have free admission will be refunded the VAT they incur on their purchases.