17/11/2022
Music Venue Trust Response to the Autumn Statement: The UK Needs a Live Music Commission
Music Venue Trust welcomes the government's announcement that the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief on Business Rates, which includes the majority of UK Grassroots Music Venues, will be extended from 50% to 75% from 1 April 2023. However, we have written to the Treasury to ask that they clarify the support being offered to venues with values in excess of £110,000 - the Autumn Statement lacks clarity on what is proposed for such venues.
In January 2020, prior to the pandemic, the government committed to a full review of Business Rates on Grassroots Music Venues. We strongly urge the Chancellor and Prime Minister to bring forward that review at the earliest opportunity. The UK has the highest level of premises taxes on Grassroots Music Venues in Europe. This must change for our live music industry to remain competitive.
The Government has not chosen to respond to calls to reduce VAT on ticketing. The UK continues to have the highest rate of VAT in Europe on live music tickets. This must change so the UK can compete.
The Chancellor spoke today about wishing to support Research & Development. But the Chancellor has not responded to the opportunity to unlock the R&D investment into culture by Grassroots Music Venues by matching the tax incentives already available to theatres and orchestras. This must change if we want the UK to continue to produce world beating artists of the future.
The government states it is committed to Stability and Growth. Despite its welcome action to provide some stability around Business Rates for a further 12 month period, the multiple opportunities to stabilise and grow the live music sector are being consistently missed, budget after budget, statement after statement.
Our Grassroots Music Venue sector creates 29,000 jobs, delivering over 170,000 performances to more than 20 million people. It is a vital sector with real opportunities to deliver growth, but that is not recognised and acted upon in this Autumn Statement.
In light of these missed opportunities, Music Venue Trust calls for the government to set up a Live Music Commission. This body can be charged with considering the significant opportunities to stabilise and grow the live music sector, with the aim of informing future government policy so that these opportunities are not consistently missed. A Live Music Commission can provide the Government with the tools it needs to be able to recognise the incredible asset the UK has in its Grassroots Music Venues ecosystem and ensure that future policy protects, secures and improves them.
