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Bryant: Government ready to make concert ticket levy mandatory if necessary

Proposed ticket levy will see a portion of each ticket sale for arena and stadium-level tours go towards a fund supporting the UK’s grassroots music ecosystem.

Patrick Jowett
3 min read

Arts minister Chris Bryant has said a proposed ticket levy on arena and stadium-sized concerts to support grassroots music venues will be introduced by the government if the music industry does not establish a voluntary scheme.

Speaking during a parliamentary debate last Thursday (16 January), Bryant was asked by fellow Labour MP Jayne Kirkham whether the government would consider a mandatory scheme if larger music venues did not voluntarily decide to support smaller grassroots venues.

“If the scheme does not happen voluntarily, will we make it statutory? Yes,” he said.

“But I am very hopeful that we will have a voluntary scheme up and running. I have already met industry representatives, and I think we are moving in that direction.”

The proposed ticket levy will see a portion of each ticket sale for arena and stadium-level tours go towards a fund supporting the UK’s grassroots music ecosystem, which is suffering from venues being forced to close across the country.

In December, Bryant said the government wants a voluntary levy on arena and stadium tickets to come into effect as soon as possible in 2025. 

The concept has been backed by the cross-party Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Select Committee, while artists including Coldplay, Sam Fender and Katy Perry have all agreed to donate a proportion of revenues from their 2025 UK tours to support the grassroots sector.

Earlier this month, the trust that will be tasked with distributing funds from the proposed levy, the LIVE Trust, was launched by Live Music Industry Venues and Entertainment (LIVE).

It follows a fund opened by music charity Music Venue Trust and live music advocacy platform Save Our Scene towards the end of last year that is encouraging artists and companies to donate to support the grassroots music sector.

‘Closing at an alarming rate’

During last week’s debate, CMS Committee chair Caroline Dinenage thanked Bryant for his commitment to the issue.

“[Bryant] will know that it was the cornerstone of the select committee’s work on grassroots music venues, and he also knows that our music ecosystem is very finely balanced,” Dinenage said.

“Grassroots venues are still shutting at an alarming rate, and not one of the top 10 best-selling songs of 2024 was from a British artist.”

In the same meeting, Bryant confirmed the government plans to discuss funding for grassroots music venues with artists, managers, venues and promoters through channels including the LIVE trust.

He also told MPs there are currently no plans for a fan-led review of the music industry, another of the culture select committee’s recommendations.

“The Secretary of State [Lisa Nandy] has charged me with coming up with a 10-point plan for music this year and I have turned it into a 12-point plan,” Bryant said.

“I very much hope to work with the select committee on delivering that plan.”

“Music is an important part of the UK’s soft power around the world. There is nothing better than seeing a band that we first saw in a tiny venue many years ago playing in a massive arena.

“We want that success for all our musicians in the UK, and it starts with creative education.”