Saturday, November 23, 2024

 UK

Jeremy Corbyn Calls for Ticket Levy on Corporations to Save Grassroots Music Venues

“With global giants and corporations inserting themselves into venue sponsorship deals, it is only fair that we ask them to pay the levy to ensure the security of Britain’s grassroots music venues and artist pipeline for many years to come.”
Jeremy Corbyn

By Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace and Justice Project

Jeremy Corbyn has called on the government to urgently intervene in the plight faced by Britain’s struggling grassroots music venues by legislating to implement a small ticket levy on concerts held at large music arenas and stadiums such as The O2 and EE Wembley Stadium in London, AO Arena in Manchester and OVO Hydro in Glasgow.

Corbyn’s calls for urgent action follow May’s Department for Culture, Media & Sport report on grassroots music venues, which recommended the implementation of a small ticket levy on all arena and stadium concerts in the UK.

In April 2023, the Peace & Justice Project, which was founded by Corbyn, launched its Music For The Many campaign to promote and protect Britain’s grassroots music venues through the introduction of a ticket levy. This week, it has issued a warning to the new Labour government that inaction will lead to the closure of many more music venues and theatres in communities in Britain.

Jeremy Corbyn MP said:

“Time is running out for Britain’s grassroots music venues.  

For too long, there has been a cloud of uncertainty hanging over many of these invaluable spaces. The government’s positive response to this year’s DCMS report is welcome, but they must act now to secure the long term and sustainable future of our grassroots music venues.

The report recommended the implementation of a small ticket levy on arena and stadium concerts. With global giants and corporations inserting themselves into venue sponsorship deals, it is only fair that we ask them to pay the levy to ensure the security of Britain’s grassroots music venues and artist pipeline for many years to come.

The government should legislate to this effect as soon as possible, as well as ensuring that no additional costs are inflicted on artist earnings or fans purchasing tickets.”

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