h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This is really annoying. Museum charges were introduced under the last conservative government but the main reason that have been dropped is that studies show they don't work.
Central government opened up national museums to the public and lots of councils reduced charges on local museums because it was fond they made more money from donations. People didn't pay to go to museums- they just stopped going! Weirdly people will go and make donations or spend in the shop at free museums.
There was no big decision to stop charging- those that can make money tended to keep charging but the others not so much....

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2015/jul/23/museums-should-charge-entrance-fees

I'm not sure I agree with the moral case but economically its incorrect and ignores the evidence.