A live music exemption is one of the recommendations that UK Music makes in Liberating Creativity – this industry’s vision of how our country can capitalise on its musical potential and dominate the world in 2020.
This simple step, we believe, could transform the lives of musicians in the UK, and especially those at the beginnings of their career.
That the current Licensing Act is hurting grassroots live music is beyond doubt.
Over the past 6 years, Government have conducted eight consultations, two Government research projects and two national review processes, all of which reached this conclusion.
The Culture Media & Sport Select Committee did likewise last May, stating that “to encourage the performance of live music we recommend that the Government should exempt venues with a capacity of 200 persons or fewer from the need to obtain a licence for the performance of live music.”
UK Music entered into this latest consultation with good faith, and in full agreement with the Select Committee that any exemption threshold should be raised from 100 to 200.
However, as far back as November 2009 we expressed our concern to you that the Parliamentary timetable was running against us, and that any meaningful change was unlikely.
It was on October 22nd, at a Westminster Hall debate on the Licensing Act, that you announced that you were “minded to consider” an exemption for venues under a 100 capacity, and would write to Cabinet colleagues about the possibility of bringing forward a Legislative Reform Order (LRO).
After waiting ten weeks to formally launch a three-month consultation, we are now in a position where the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have just days to evaluate possibly hundreds of submissions, seek appropriate agreement and clearances with other Government departments, formulate a decision and then lay an LRO before Parliament.
With a General Election imminent, might we enquire how you might expedite this process with just days available?
Given the highly unpredictable outcome of a General Election, there is considerable danger that the entire consultation process will be another wasted opportunity. That this legislation will continue to damage the prospects of young and jobbing musicians in the UK, sustain an arduous layer of bureaucracy for our pubs and deny local communities the thrill of live music.
Ironically, Government could address and fix this issue within a matter of hours if not minutes, should it choose to do so.
As you may know, running parallel to the consultation, Lord Clement-Jones’ Live Music Private Members Bill of has quietly journeyed from the House of Lords through to the House of Commons.
It currently enjoys cross-party support on the Opposition front benches and, for my industry, has an awful lot riding on it.
There is still time for Government to timetable this Bill and allow its Second Reading.
With your support now, small venues could be exempted before May.
This country is defined by its music and the innovation and creativity of its artists.
There is still time to champion these assets – to support live music - and deliver meaningful change to the lives of millions.
The clock is ticking, but with your help and support we can still do this.
Yours Sincerely,
Feargal Sharkey
Chief Executive
UK Music
