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The government is set to introduce a voluntary levy on tickets for concerts at stadiums and arenas to help fund grassroots venues.

Ministers expect the music industry to push through their proposals “as soon as possible” for shows next year, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said.

The government argues that an “industry-led” levy “within the price of a ticket” would be the quickest and most effective way for revenues from the biggest shows to help the grassroots sector.

“Ministers have made clear that they want to see a voluntary levy come into effect as soon as possible for concerts in 2025, with clear communication to fans on the purpose of the levy and the benefits it will bring to the grassroots sector,” the DCMS said.

Smaller venues have struggled in recent years after the pandemic and rising inflation.

Some bands have already started to donate part of their ticket sales to help fund smaller venues.

Enter Shikari gave £1 of every ticket sold for their 2024 arena tour to the Music Venue Trust while Coldplay have also pledged to donate 10% of profits from their upcoming UK stadium tour to support smaller venues.

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Creative industries minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “Grassroots music venues are one of the UK’s most valuable and yet undervalued cultural assets.”

Read more:
Inside Britain’s music festival crisis
At least one grassroots music venue closing per week
Why have concert ticket prices gone crazy?

Coldplay in concert at the Manchester Ethiad Stadium as part of their Music Of The Spheres World Tour. Picture date: Wednesday May 31, 2023.
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Coldplay in concert at the Manchester Ethiad Stadium last year. Pic: PA

He continued: “They are where bands try out new material, where whole new genres are born, where musicians experiment and where audiences get to experience the raw power of live music.

“These venues support thousands of jobs and are a vital part of our local communities.

“Without a flourishing grassroots music industry the rest of our music industry will wither.”

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Sir Chris added: “That is why I am urging the industry voluntarily to introduce a ticket levy on the biggest commercial players, to help ensure the health and future success of our entire live music industry for decades to come.”

The cross-party committee on culture, media and sport, which initially put forward the proposal, welcomed the ministerial support but said a “firm deadline” is needed on how long the industry has to take action “before the government itself steps in”.

The committee said it would hold a hearing with the sector in six months’ time if no major progress is made.

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Chancellor’s Mansion House speech vows to rip up red tape – saying post-financial crash rules went ‘too far’

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Chancellor's Mansion House speech vows to rip up red tape - saying post-financial crash rules went 'too far'

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has criticised post-financial crash regulation, saying it has “gone too far” – setting a course for cutting red tape in her first speech to Britain’s most important gathering of financiers and business leaders.

Increased rules on lenders that followed the 2008 crisis have had “unintended consequences”, Ms Reeves will say in her Mansion House address to industry and the City of London’s lord mayor.

“The UK has been regulating for risk, but not regulating for growth,” she will say.

It cannot be taken for granted that the UK will remain a global financial centre, she is expected to add.

Money blog: Britain’s most affordable town revealed

It’s anticipated Ms Reeves will on Thursday announce “growth-focused remits” for financial regulators and next year publish the first strategy for financial services growth and competitiveness.

Rachel Reeves
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Rachel Reeves


Bank governor to point out ‘consequences’ of Brexit

Also at the Mansion House dinner the governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey will say the UK economy is bigger than we think because we’re not measuring it properly.

A new measure to be used by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) – which will include the value of data – will probably be “worth a per cent or two on GDP”. GDP is a key way of tracking economic growth and counts the value of everything produced.

Brexit has reduced the level of goods coming into the UK, Mr Bailey will also say, and the government must be alert to and welcome opportunities to rebuild relations.

Mr Bailey will caveat he takes no position on “Brexit per se” but does have to point out its consequences.

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Bailey: Inflation expected to rise

In what appears to be a reference to the debate around UK immigration policy, Mr Bailey will also say the UK’s ageing population means there are fewer workers, which should be included in the discussion.

The greying labour force “makes the productivity and investment issue all the more important”.

“I will also say this: when we think about broad policy on labour supply, the economic arguments must feature in the debate,” he’s due to add.

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The exact numbers of people at work are unknown in part due to fewer people answering the phone when the ONS call.

Mr Bailey described this as “a substantial problem”.

He will say: “I do struggle to explain when my fellow [central bank] governors ask me why the British are particularly bad at this. The Bank, alongside other users, including the Treasury, continue to engage with the ONS on efforts to tackle these problems and improve the quality of UK labour market data.”

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18 US states file lawsuit against SEC and Gary Gensler

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18 US states file lawsuit against SEC and Gary Gensler

President-elect Trump has vowed to fire SEC Chairman Gary Gensler and replace him with a more crypto-friendly SEC head. 

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Pennsylvania lawmaker introduces bill for ‘strategic Bitcoin reserve’

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Pennsylvania lawmaker introduces bill for ‘strategic Bitcoin reserve’

The proposed legislation would allow the State of Pennsylvania’s Treasurer to invest up to 10% of its funds in Bitcoin, suggesting a multibillion-dollar investment.

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