WE are not seeking the likes of agency work on the corporate hospitality social wedding events etc circuit;
or even regular weekend social club covers band work.

I'm talking about in my Band's individual case -

entirely 'UNPAID' fundraising benefit/charity/community arts gigs

played on an irregular basis as and when we get a call to gather together
to perform for whatever local 'needy' cause requires a reliable decent night's entertainment.

We rarely even expect travel expenses, as we are a bunch of more or less retired old mates
who had a good college gig circuit band back in the 70's,
and now just enjoy putting on a good show to help out political events we are sympathetic with.

We are always well out of pocket after such events, certainly no expectation of doing it for any financial gain.

I'd say just about every town in the UK has at least one similar experienced
'amateur' non-profit motivated band gigging simply for the social fun of it;
and paying for the upkeep and purchase of new equipment
out of their meagre savings and pensions.

So far we have been lucky and not asked for PAT paperwork.
But the expense and effort of having to undergo annual testing & certification for all our gigging gear
would more or less end us and kill off all enthusiasm to meet up for a hand full of performances per year.

Yes there is a real need for some kind of intelligent 'exemption' provision
for all the bands like us.