Tom is right, it would be totally impractical to submit detailed returns for every session. Nevertheless, the current charge for a live music session for less than 100 people with not admission charge is now £8.00. PRS deducts 20% for admin costs which leaves £6.40 for distribution. Based on the sessions I attend, at least 2/3rds of the material should properly attributable to "trad". Of the remainder, about half is unattributable because of lack of information. That leaves about a quid to be randomly apportioned between PRS members, which may or may not include those whose music was actually performed.

On this basis PRS is charging roughly 8 times what they should. The people who have to pay this are not the ones promoting the music, and may see little commercial benefit. Whilst I agree that the musicians should be prepared to contribute, by the time the landlord has fallen out with the PRS the damage is done.

The fact is that PRS is getting itself a reputation for bullying behaviour and for actually damaging live music. It is hardly surprising that it meets with a hostile reception, even from those who support its objectives.