UK Music urges Chancellor to "back British music" and deliver "sounds of summer" for music fans
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UK Music has called on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to back its new
three-point plan to guarantee a summer packed with the best of
British music. Unveiling the plan before the Chancellor’s Budget,
UK Music Chief Executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin said the music
industry wanted to create a “truly memorable musical celebration”
as the UK emerged from Covid-19 lockdown. He welcomed the Prime
Minister’s announcement of three clear dates: April 12 for the
start of pilot events; May...Request free trial
UK Music has called on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to back its new three-point plan to guarantee a summer packed with the best of British music. Unveiling the plan before the Chancellor’s Budget, UK Music Chief Executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin said the music industry wanted to create a “truly memorable musical celebration” as the UK emerged from Covid-19 lockdown. He welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement of three clear dates: April 12 for the start of pilot events; May 17 for indoor and outdoor events - with capacity limits and social distancing; and June 21 for large gigs and concerts with no social distancing. However, Njoku-Goodwin said that the music industry needed urgent action in three key areas to help the industry deliver a music-filled summer and play its part in the post-pandemic recovery.
The three-point plan for the Chancellor’s March 3 Budget follows extensive talks between UK Music and the Government about reviving live music as soon as it is safe to do so. It also builds on the successful #LetTheMusicPlay and #SaveOurSummer campaigns for a sector that generates £5.8 billion for the UK’s economy and supports 200,000 jobs. UK Music Chief Executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin said: “Everyone is determined to deliver the truly memorable musical celebration that we all need as we emerge from the terrible impact of Covid-19. “We want the Chancellor to use his Budget to deliver the best of British sounds this summer and ensure live music is back to lift our spirits and help drive the post-pandemic recovery. "We need the existing jobs support schemes, the business rate relief and the 5% VAT rate on ticket sales to continue until the music industry is back on its feet. The hugely welcome £1.57 billion Cultural Relief Fund should also continue. “Critically, we must have a Government-backed insurance scheme so event organisers can plan with certainty and avoid financial ruin if Covid-19 forces fresh cancellations. With no insurance available, the risk of putting on events in June and July will be too great for many organisers to bear. “If we fail to follow other governments that are offering insurance schemes to safeguard live music and events, the UK runs the risk of standing at the side of the dance-floor as other nations party through the summer. “The Government support for the music industry has been a lifeline and we are incredibly grateful. However, it will all have been for nothing if it does not carry on until we can raise the curtain again on concerts, festivals and gigs. “Our industry has worked tirelessly with the Government to explore testing, better ventilation and many other innovative solutions to make events safe – and we will be engaging enthusiastically with the Government’s pilot schemes to ensure live music can return as soon as it’s safe. “While the astonishing vaccine success means the end of the health emergency is in sight, the economic toll of Covid-19 will be with us for a long time. Dynamic growth industries like the UK music industry will be more important than ever – and we want to play our part in driving the post-pandemic economic recovery. “I am confident that with the right support, our world-leading live music scene will give us all an unforgettable summer by lifting the spirits of millions of music fans and spearheading a huge cultural and economic boost.” UK Music's call to the Government comes after Julian Knight MP, who chairs the Commons' Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, asked the Government to provide urgent support to help festivals go ahead. Mr Knight called on the Chancellor to extend an underwriting scheme offered to the film and TV industry to the music sector. ENDS Notes to editors: Link to UK Music story on Music Exports Office: https://www.ukmusic.org/news/uk-music-chief-welcomes-pms-announcement-as-fantastic-news-for-uks-world-leading-live-music-industry/ February 2021 International Cancellation and Insurance Funds Austria The Austrian Government has announced a €300 million ‘protective umbrella’ for concerts. If a show is organised under restrictions has to be cancelled or faces increased restrictions the Government will bear the cost of cancellation or any losses due to the increased restrictions (here). It will cover events from 1st February 2021 to 31st December 2022, and will provide up to €800,000 per participant (here). Denmark The Danish Government established a €12 million fund to compensate events organisers for events of over 1,000 people cancelled by COVID in March (here). Estonia The Estonian Government has agreed to compensate organisers of events cancelled in March – April due to the coronavirus, up to a value of £2.7 million (here). Flanders The Flemish Government has established a €60 million fund to restart the events sector. This includes €50 million in advance payments to the events sector (this includes events insurance). €10 million has been put aside for smaller festivals to meet COVID measures (here). France The French Government has indicated it will set up a €30 million to compensate festivals that have to either be cancelled or lose money under the 5,000 person cap and social distancing rules announced for events in the “summer”. Industry representatives have accused the Government of being too vague (here and here). Latvia The Latvian Government has announced that events cancelled due to the COVID-19 state of emergency can claim back up to 80% of the value of tickets that have to be refunded (here), the fund has a total value of €5 million (here). Norway The Norwegian Government has launched a €34m insurance fund to cover festivals of whatever size end up being able to go ahead in the summer, which the Government has admitted they do not know yet (here). The Netherlands The Dutch Government has established a €300 million cancellation fund to underwrite festivals, business fairs and sports competitions that attract 3,000 or more people from July 1st (here). Japan The Japanese Government has established a fund that covers the cancellation fee of the venue, ticket funds and any PR for events scheduled to be held in the state of emergency, up to Yen 25 million (€196,000) per event (here). Sweden The Swedish Government had a €38 million cancellation fund to refund operators up to 75% of lost revenue or additional costs due to the COVID crisis from 12th – 31st March (here). |