UK Music welcomes PM’s move in Queen’s Speech to slash business rates for music venues as a “vital lifeline” and a “victory for common sense”

19 December 2019 - Press release

UK Music CEO Michael Dugher has praised a planned Government shake-up of business rates as a “vital lifeline” for grassroots music venues and a “victory for common sense”.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s new Government will conduct a fundamental review of business rates. The proposal was among a raft of legislative proposals unveiled in the Queen’s Speech today (December 19th).

The overhaul of business rates will see the retail discount increased from one-third to 50 per cent, extending that discount to cinemas and music venues for the first time.

UK Music has fought a long campaign to end the discrimination against music venues that have been blocked from enjoying the same rate cut as other businesses like pubs and clubs.

Some venues have faced crippling business rate hikes of up to 600 per cent as soaring rises left many venues struggling to survive.

The campaign saw UK Music CEO Michael Dugher hold top-level talks with previous Chancellor Philip Hammond to push the case for a level playing field and a fair deal for music venues.

Commenting, Mr Dugher said:
“This is a huge victory for common sense and, most importantly, for music venues who will welcome this early Christmas present.

“Cutting business rates for music venues cannot happen soon enough. This change will prove a vital lifeline for venues that are at the heart of many communities.

“UK Music has been relentless in pushing the Government for this change and we’re delighted that there will be a level playing field for music venues.

“We welcome the Government’s proposals for more frequent revaluations to ensure business rates bills are more up-to-date and reflect the current rental value of a property.

“Our thanks in particular go to DCMS Minister Nigel Adams, who has been a consistent and staunch supporter of grassroots music venues.

“We will be talking to Government ministers and officials in the coming weeks to try to get these important change in place as swiftly as possible.”

Mr Dugher also highlighted proposed measures outlined in the Queen’s Speech to cover online harms as an important area for the music industry.

He said it was vital that future legislation in this area must cover economic harms such as the issue of copyright, as well as the key measures to clamp down on the use of the internet by terrorists and those engaged in child abuse.

Mr Dugher said:
“These changes should incorporate economic harms perpetrated online which can have a huge negative impact on jobs and businesses in the music industry and other sectors.”