Charging even a nominal fee for entry to our national museums was once unthinkable. Culture should be available to all, regardless of wealth or status, the thinking went.

That ideology was swept away by the free-marketeers. They believed everything had its price. If people were not prepared to pay for something, it had no value.

Thankfully such greedy nonsense has been discredited. It is the enlightened policy of this Government to open up our great educational institutions. The goal is to ensure everyone, and not just the well-off, regains access to their treasures.

The National Railway Museum has been steadily cutting back its charges. Children were given free entry last year, and pensioners won the same right earlier this year.

The next stage is to slash adult admission to £1. Unfortunately complex tax laws rule out totally free admission at present - although this must remain the ultimate aim. But today's proposal is still extremely welcome.

It would allow almost everyone regular access to the York museum. Local families currently regard a visit as an occasional treat, or wait for free entry during the Residents First weekend. In future they will find the £2-a-family fee lets them pop in when they wish.

All the evidence suggests visitor numbers will shoot up. The number of children visiting the museum has increased sharply since they won free admission. By contrast, after the York Labour council ignored its Government's lead and imposed charges for the art gallery, visitor numbers have slumped.

National Railway Museum head Andrew Scott has concerns about how reduced charges will affect future investment. Ministers need to ensure the change does not compromise the museum's ambitious expansion plans.

That said, the fee cut will be a real fillip for York's tourist industry. It will come in the same year as the reopening of a new-look Jorvik Viking Centre, providing a double boost. That is a ray of sunshine for flood-hit York.