News
MIA Welcomes Government Support for Live Music
29 June 2011
This Bill, which received its second reading in the House of Lords on Friday, will make it easier for musicians in England and Wales to perform by allowing small venues like schools, colleges and village halls to hold concerts without needing a costly licence. Other measures in the Bill will make it easier for venues with an existing licence – such as pubs – to put on live music events.
The Bill received the widespread support of peers and the government’s culture spokesperson in the Lords, Baroness Rawlings, announced that in principle the Bill would receive government support. Lord Clement-Jones, who introduced the Bill, said that ‘All who took part in the debate were agreed on the importance of live music and the detrimental effect of the Licensing Act on musicians’ ability to play in small venues.’ The Bill was backed by peers including former BBC and ITV chairman Lord (Michael) Grade, who used his maiden speech in the Lords to support the Bill, as well as by Baroness (Joan) Bakewell and Baroness (Floella) Benjamin.
MIA Chief Executive Paul McManus said:
‘It is extremely encouraging that this Bill has now received the support of the Government. We have said before that live music is a key community function that brings people together. Small venues are a major part of communities and helping them to be able to put on live music is a great demonstration of the Big Society in action. Clear data has been presented that shows nearly 75% of stakeholders, including Councils, licensees and venue owners in favour of a change in the law to allow an exemption for small venues.’
The UK economy, through its creative industries, benefits significantly from music, with over 130,000 people employed actively in the making, performing, recording and distributing of music contributing nearly £5bns to the economy annually. And just as importantly, music develops creativity and contributes uniquely to raising attainment in literacy and numeracy and is therefore a key part of a broad and balanced school curriculum.
For more information on this story or the MIA in general, please contact: Paul McManus paulmc@mia.org.uk
