Live Music Bill will benefit hundreds of small venue owners – Clement-Jones
Today the Government announced that it would be supporting Liberal Democrat peer, Lord (Tim) Clement-Jones' Live Music Bill, which seeks to remove the bureaucratic burden from small venue owners, such as pubs and community halls, who want to have live music play for their guests
Commenting, Lord Clement-Jones said:
"There is clear support across all parties to reform the current system as the Licensing Act has had a deadening effect on the performance of live music in small venues.
"The Live Music Bill will benefit hundreds of small pubs, restaurants and church and community halls who want live music at their venue by generally removing the need to apply for a complicated licence."
"I'm glad the Government has responded so positively to this Bill and I look forward to working with them to fulfil the Coalition Agreement's pledge to put an end to red tape and bureaucracy."
Commenting further, Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Committee on Culture, Media, Olympics and Sport, said:
"Today's debate is a major boost for the live music cause.
"Our music culture has suffered for years because of Labour's draconian licensing laws. Needless costs and bureaucracy have been holding our grassroots music scene back.
"With ministers now supporting the Lib Dem Live Music Bill, musicians, fans and venues can be confident of big improvements soon.
"The plan to support live music started off in the Lib Dem election manifesto. It goes to show the difference we are making in government."
Notes:
- The Live Music Bill is a Private Member Bill introduced in the House of Lords by the Liberal Democrat peer Lord (Tim) Clement-Jones.
- The Bill removes the need for a licence to play unamplified and amplified live music in cases where a few simple criteria are met. This will apply to most small venues, such as pubs and community halls.
- The Government has said it will support the Bill, provided a few small changes are made, and that it will do an impact assessment.