UK Music’s chief executive Michael Dugher has welcomed the prime minister’s plans to overhaul business rates for music venues, which were laid out in the Queens Speech today (Thursday).
In a move that Dugher described as ‘victory for common sense,’ Boris Johnson’s new government will review business rates as part of a raft of legislative proposal unveiled in the Queen’s Speech.
The change in 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 been at the forefront of the campaign to end discrimination against music venues.
Previously, music venues have not enjoyed the same rate cut as other businesses like pubs and clubs.
This has meant that some venues have endured business rate hikes of up to 600 percent, which has left many struggling to survive.
During the campaign Dugher has held talks with the previous chancellor Philip Hammond to work towards a fairer deal for music venues.
Commenting on today’s Queens Speech, Dugher says: ‘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.’
He also underlined the proposed measures outlined in the Queen’s Speech to cover online harms as an important area for the music industry.
He added: ‘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.’
In a move that Dugher described as ‘victory for common sense,’ Boris Johnson’s new government will review business rates as part of a raft of legislative proposal unveiled in the Queen’s Speech.
The change in 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 been at the forefront of the campaign to end discrimination against music venues.
Previously, music venues have not enjoyed the same rate cut as other businesses like pubs and clubs.
This has meant that some venues have endured business rate hikes of up to 600 percent, which has left many struggling to survive.
During the campaign Dugher has held talks with the previous chancellor Philip Hammond to work towards a fairer deal for music venues.
Commenting on today’s Queens Speech, Dugher says: ‘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.’
He also underlined the proposed measures outlined in the Queen’s Speech to cover online harms as an important area for the music industry.
He added: ‘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.’
