From: Hamish Birchall
To: hamishbirchall
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 2:31 PM
Subject: New inquiry into effect of Licensing Act on live music


In a surprise move, the Culture, Media and Sport Committee today announced its own public inquiry into the effects of the Licensing Act 2003 (see full announcement below). Note that this is NOT the 'full public consultation' promised by the government on new exemptions within the Act for 'low risk music events'. That has yet to be launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee acts independently of the government and DCMS. Their announcement today suggests that there is serious doubt that the Act has delivered the many benefits claimed by the government. These of course included ministers' claims that it would be easier and cheaper to stage live music, and that there would be 'an explosion' of live music as a result.

The inquiry remit includes the impact on the performance of live music, and whether or not the Act has reduced costs and red tape.

The Committee's inquiry is suprising not least because in December last year the Department for Culture, Media and Sport published its own assessment of the impact of the Act on live music ('New plans to help live music thrive', press release 17 December 2007: http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/media_releases/2254.aspx )

In that press release DCMS reported a 5% fall in live gigs since their 2004 survey of venues not specialising in live music, but claimed this was not due to the new licensing regime.

The deadline for responses to the inquiry is Tuesday 30 September. See guidance below on submissions, which must be in writing. The Committee office advised me that they want concise, factual and clear feedback.

Committee website: http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/culture__media_and_sport.cfm
The Licensing Act inquiry announcement will be put up on the website tomorrow as a press release.