UK Music warmly welcomes all the recommendations in today’s Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee report on the Licensing Act 2003.

In particular, we endorse the Committee’s recommendations on the three areas relating directly to live music:

• The scrapping of Metropolitan Police Promotion and Event Assessment Form 696   
• The exemption of venues with a capacity of 200 persons or fewer from the need to obtain a licence for the performance of live music
• The reintroduction of the two-in-a-bar exemption, enabling venues of any size to put on a performance of non-amplified music by one or two musicians

Commented UK Music CEO Feargal Sharkey:

"I am delighted with the Committee's report. There is little doubt that the Licensing Act 2003 has hindered the staging of live music and created unnecessary barriers to the promotion of live events.

"This is particularly true at a grass roots level. The UK has a world class music industry, but it is underpinned by extremely delicate foundations via an intricate network of back rooms in pubs, bars, clubs, hotels and halls. For continued future success, it is vital that tomorrow’s superstars and young musicians have somewhere to ply their craft, somewhere to play and that communities have a place to gather together.

"In the midst of recession and with an increased emphasis placed on our creative industries to stimulate the economy, it is paramount that we should be pulling together and creating opportunities. Live music can have a hugely positive economic impact both locally and nationally. I call on Government as a matter of some urgency to take heed of the Committee’s views and take quick and assertive action.” 

Sharkey also commented specifically on Form 696:

“As with the restrictions on small venues, Form 696 is a wholly unnecessary impediment to live music and has become a mandatory licensing condition on more than 70 premises in 21 London boroughs. UK Music has been vocal amongst musicians, civil liberty campaigners and members of the public who want to see this counter-productive and morally questionable risk assessment form scrapped. I am delighted the Committee feels the same way.

“Music is a vital part of all UK culture: we should all celebrating that, free it from bureaucracy and make this country a richer and more vibrant place.”

ENDS