I continue to find it extraordinary that on a site dedicated to music so many contributors seem to be opposed to the idea that composers and songwriters should have no rights to their work.

Education may be important, but does that mean schools shouldn't pay for their textbooks? Perhaps they shouldn't pay the teachers either? Why is music different? If they're going to use the results of someone's efforts, then that person should be rewarded.

Presumably VirginiaTam expects to be paid for her work in Arts Development? Why then shouldn't the actual artists be paid?

There are real questions about whether PRS's charges are proportionate, whether the money they collect gets to the right people, and the attitude and behaviour of their agents, but if you love music you should be supporting the rights of composers to their work.