Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Grassroots Music Venues

Thursday 16 April 2026 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government providing up to 30 million through the music growth package to support grassroots music venues.
  • Voluntary ticket contribution initiative has contributed half a million pounds to support these venues.
  • Government announced nearly 130 million for 130 cultural projects, including nearly 1 million for Music Venue Properties.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Josh Babarinde Lib Dem Eastbourne
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP highlighted the importance of supporting local music venues, which are crucial for talent development and cultural growth.

Question

What steps she is taking to support grassroots music venues. The Government are providing up to £30 million through the music growth package, furthering support by fostering domestic growth, talent development, and music exports. We are committed to the voluntary ticket contribution initiative for stadium shows, contributing half a million pounds.

Answer from Ian Murray

We are providing up to £30 million through the music growth package, supporting domestic growth and talent development. We introduced a voluntary ticket contribution initiative, which has contributed half a million pounds. On Tuesday, we announced nearly £130 million for 130 venues, including nearly £1 million for Music Venue Properties. We are happy to meet to discuss further support for Eastbourne bandstand.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not confirm a review of the heritage at risk fund criteria to include local authority-run music venues like Eastbourne bandstand.

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Q2 Josh Babarinde Lib Dem Eastbourne
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP invited the Speaker to celebrate the reopening of Eastbourne's historical bandstand and asked for a review of the heritage at risk fund criteria to support local authority-run music venues like Eastbourne bandstand.

Question

Mr Speaker, I would like to invite you to come and celebrate with us as our guest of honour at our famous Motown night in July; I know you are a big fan of Motown. We could have even more to celebrate at the bandstand if the Minister were able to review the criteria for the heritage at risk fund, which was announced earlier this year.

Answer from Ian Murray

I congratulate Eastbourne on reopening the bandstand. I am disappointed that I did not receive an invitation. The Government care about these venues and announced nearly £130 million for 13 130 cultural projects, including nearly £1 million for Music Venue Properties. We will meet to discuss further support for Eastbourne bandstand.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide an assurance regarding a review of the heritage at risk fund criteria to include local authority-run music venues like Eastbourne bandstand.

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Q3 Alex Sobel Labour (Co-op) Leeds Central and Headingley
Context

The MP referred to a previous announcement about ending the abuse of ticket resale. Since then, gig goers have been ripped off by tens of millions of pounds.

Question

I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. On 19 November, the Secretary of State made the welcome announcement that we would end the abuse of ticket resale. Since then, gig goers at grassroots music venues have been ripped off by tens of millions of pounds. With the new Session coming, will that Bill be in the King's Speech? Can gig goers look forward to the end of being ripped off by touts?

Answer from Ian Murray

We are determined to end ticket touting in this country. It has been ripping off fans for too long. We have a strong policy to deal with that, and we will bring the legislation forward as soon as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not specify when the Bill would be included in the King's Speech or provide a timeline for bringing it forward.

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