Ministers have announced that free access to museums and galleries in England will remain until at least 2011, offering millions of Britons and visitors to the UK the chance to explore culture and heritage free of charge each year.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has stated that arts, culture and sport remain at the "heart" of government plans to provide opportunities for all.

Chancellor Alistair Darling announced in his pre-Budget report this week that arts funding would increase in line with inflation, from £1.68 billion this year to 2.21 billion in 2010-11.

However, arts groups have expressed concern that spending for the 2012 Olympic Games will continue to affect funding this year, despite the new funding settlement.

Culture secretary, James Purnell, said: "Over the next three years, thanks to a generous funding settlement, we will ensure that these sectors continue to thrive and flourish, maintaining the UK's reputation for cultural and sporting excellence."

The guarantee for free entry to museums and galleries across the country will come as a relief for arts and culture experts who had expressed concern that funding cuts were being planned.