UK Government Announces £30m Music Growth Package

In a major development for the events industry, the government also confirmed its support for an industry-led ticket levy. Set to generate up to £20 million annually via the LIVE Trust, the levy aims to provide long-term support to grassroots venues, artists, promoters and festivals.

Responding to the announcement, the Music Venue Trust posted across social media:

“The Government’s commitment to the industry-led ticket levy, something Music Venue Trust has campaigned on for ten years, is a big win for the GMV sector and will make a crucial and ongoing difference to GMVs’ ability to develop in the long-term.”

The Sector Plan also outlined intentions to ease post-Brexit challenges around international touring, stating:

“We are supporting travel and cultural exchange, including the activities of touring artists. In doing so, we will make it easier for UK artists to perform in Europe and deliver mutual economic and cultural benefits for the UK and the EU.”

Alongside artist support and touring, the plan includes infrastructure reform. The government confirmed it wants to improve the implementation of the ‘agent of change’ principle, a key planning measure designed to protect venues from noise complaints related to nearby new developments. 

The Music Venue Trust welcomed this too, saying:

“We are also pleased to see the Government make positive noises on several other policy issues at the heart of MVT’s work. Agent of Change is a vital planning tool to protect GMVs, and we look forward to hearing more detail on Government’s plans to improve implementation of this.”

Additional measures in the plan include the formation of a licensing task force, with recommendations for improvements to the licensing system expected to be published soon.

The announcements mark a significant step in the government’s stated ambition to grow the UK’s creative economy, with music and live performance positioned as key contributors.