Labour MPs Urge Halt to Business Rate Increase for Music Venues
Nearly fifty Labour MPs have united in a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, demanding an immediate pause on the anticipated rise in business rates for music venues. This increase, tied to a revaluation set to take effect in April, could lead to staggering bill hikes between 45% and 275% for venues across the UK.
An Existential Threat to Music Venues
The letter highlights the pressing challenges faced by music venues, asserting that these establishments are confronting an existential threat due to rising operational costs. As pressure mounts from the hospitality sector and Labour backbenchers, Reeves is currently formulating a support package for pubs, to be revealed shortly.
– Around 1,000 pubs have resorted to banning Labour politicians from their premises, protesting against the anticipated financial burden from the business rate revaluation and the withdrawal of support provided during the Covid-19 pandemic.
– In her November Budget, the Chancellor reduced business rate discounts from 75% to 40%, with a complete withdrawal of discounts set for April.
Concerns are growing among Labour MPs and opposition figures that any forthcoming support might neglect crucial segments of the hospitality industry, including hotels and live music venues, prompting calls for a broader policy reversal.
A Call for Comprehensive Support
The letter, coordinated by Anneliese Midgeley, Liverpool MP and member of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, features MPs from the committee voicing their constituents’ worries.
– They report receiving numerous messages from community members involved with vital music spaces, warning that the impending 2026 business rates revaluation will have severe repercussions.
The MPs are urging the Chancellor to cancel the April rate increase until a fairer evaluation method for music venues is established. They additionally advocate for enhanced support for recording studios, noting that as many as 50% could face jeopardy due to the revaluation.
The Treasury has been contacted for remarks regarding this urgent plea.
The fight against the business rate hike is crucial for protecting the vibrant music scene and ensuring the survival of grassroots venues that contribute significantly to both culture and local economies.