News Release

7th February 2003

THREAT TO LIVE MUSIC

Michael Fabricant, a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee scrutinising the work of the Department of Culture Media & Sport, says that "pubs in Lichfield and elsewhere with a strong 'live music' tradition face financial ruin with a new Government music stealth tax."

Michael explains: "The Licensing Bill currently progressing through Parliament contains measures which could lead to the loss of thousands of live music venues. At the moment, performances by one or two musicians do not require a licence. The Government now propose that all venues holding more than five performances a year must be licensed, however many performers are involved. The Musician's Union has described this as 'the biggest change in licensing control of live music for over 100 years'. I agree. The effect is bound to be increased costs and bureaucracy and the loss of many venues for live music, with the resulting loss of jobs for musicians, particularly in the folk and jazz fields. I will oppose these provisions when the Bill is introduced in the House of Commons.

"Meanwhile, fears have also been expressed that carol singing, public rehearsals, church bell ringing, and spontaneous singing may in future require a licence. What a nonsense! While this has been strongly denied by the Government, specialist lawyers say that the Bill as it presently stands can certainly be interpreted in this way.

"There is some good news! Following pressure from Conservative MPs, the Government announced a total climb-down on its proposals to require places of religious worship to be licensed for the provision of secular entertainment. This would have spelt the end of the Lichfield Festival. I now hope the Government will see sense and climb down on their live music stealth tax too" adds Michael Fabricant.