Government back Live Music Bill

The Government continues to show support for a Live Music Bill that would slash the red tape around legislation for smaller venues as the debate around entertainment licensing rages on at a national level.

The Private members Bill proposed by Liberal Democrat peer Lord Clement Jones was debated at the end of last week and will now pass to the report stage, then requiring a third reading prior to scrutiny in the House of Commons from MPs.

As previously reported by The Gen, if the Bill becomes a reality, venues with a capacity of 200 or under won’t need a license as they currently do now under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

DCMS spokesperson, Baroness Garden of Frognal, said: “These are important measures that could help struggling venues and aspiring performers, as well as enhancing the cultural offering in local communities.”

A more wide-ranging Government debate on the effectiveness and ongoing relevance of entertainment licenses required under the controversial Licensing Act is expected for later in the year. That is, provided that the Government, media infrastructure and police force don’t melt away like an especially surreal Dali painting by the end of this week.

To find out more about the current state of play with licensing in the UK, check out our live music advice section.