Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Grassroots Music Venues

Thursday 16 October 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Luke Taylor inquired about the progress on the music levy and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on grassroots music venues.
  • The Minister responded that the Government aims for 50% of ticket sales from stadium and arena shows in 2026 to enter the music levy.
  • Anna Sabine welcomed the Minister and asked about steps taken to address the decline in British musicians' European tours post-Brexit.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Luke Taylor Lib Dem Sutton and Cheam
Economy Business & Trade
Context

Grassroots music venues across the country, particularly in London, are struggling due to customers spending less during gigs because of the cost-of-living crisis. The questioner highlights specific challenges faced by venues like Sound Lounge and CryerArts Centre in Sutton.

Question

I am concerned about grassroots music venues across the country, particularly in London, finding it increasingly difficult to survive as customers spend less when they come to gigs due to the cost-of-living crisis. Will the Minister explain the progress on the levy? Will he consider Lib Dem calls to reverse the national insurance rise on small businesses to give venues such as Sound Lounge and CryerArts Centre in Sutton, which are valued by our local community, a better chance to survive and thrive?

Answer from The Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts (Ian Murray)

We want to see 50% of all ticket sales for stadium and arena shows in 2026 enter that music levy; this is our Government’s aspiration and we encourage all ticket providers to do so. In the autumn 2024 Budget, the Chancellor set out plans to transform the business rates system over this Parliament, providing certainty and support to businesses including music venues. We have been engaging with the live music sector on these reforms and will provide further policy details in next month’s Budget.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for progress on the levy and whether to reverse the national insurance rise, but the Minister did not directly address reversing the national insurance rise.

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Q2 Anna Sabine Lib Dem Frome and East Somerset
Brexit Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Since Brexit, British musicians have faced a decline in European tours due to increased bureaucracy. The Lib Dem MP highlights the challenges of independent artists who lack teams to handle paperwork.

Question

I welcome the Minister to his place and I look forward to working with him—I am delighted to hear that he is a keen musician. Since Brexit, British musicians’ European tours have dropped by around 9% year on year due to bureaucratic hurdles. Will the Minister update us on what tangible steps have been taken for touring artists since the reset deal, so our musicians can return to the European stage?

Answer from The Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts (Ian Murray)

Let me correct the record: I did not say that I was a musician; I managed a band. The matter is a priority for this Government to resolve. It was mentioned in the UK-EU reset summit agreement. We are working hard with the Paymaster General on negotiations and am already in touch with the European Commissioner for culture, ensuring we do everything possible to get the agreement over the line.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address the specific steps taken since the reset deal.

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