OPINION
Building on a positive start
Jon Collins , CEO of Live music industry umbrella organisation LIVE , provides his view on how the change in Government is presenting new opportunities for a more collaborative approach to tackling the major issues
The 2024 election brought change on an unprecedented level . Not just a change at No 10 with Labour replacing the Conservatives after 14 years but also sweeping change in Parliament itself with over half of MPs now newly elected . That means significant policy shifts in Government and a loss of significant institutional memory across all parties .
While the scale of the change has been epic , change itself was not unexpected . That meant that LIVE had an opportunity to prepare for a new administration by building our policy position with Labour while in opposition . It also meant we had time to distil our asks of Government down to a small set of easily digestible policy proposals that supported the Government ’ s wider objectives . LIVE worked to build momentum with the last Government , on everything from export support and business rates to orchestra tax relief and speeding up delivery of A1 forms for touring artists .
All in all , we were well placed to work with Labour from day one . They understood us , and we understood them . Our early work with the new government has been positive . While we lost the chance to continue our work with Thangam Debbonaire , who had been an excellent shadow Culture Secretary due to the actions of the voters in Bristol Central , Chris Bryant provides informed and important continuity . Thangam ’ s replacement as Culture Secretary , Lisa Nandy , has had a summer of sport to enjoy , but we have every confidence it will be an autumn of the arts . Fundamentally , Lisa believes in bringing together diverse talents to create positive change … something we are very familiar with in the live music world .
We have all seen how the Government has hit the ground running as it seeks to deliver growth , renewed public services and a more positive sense of who we are and our place in
“ WE HAVE , IN CHRIS BRYANT , A MINISTER WHO IS DETERMINED TO SORT OUT EU TOURING .”
the world . LIVE has shown Government how we can support and accelerate that work . Most obviously , we have , in Chris Bryant , a minister who is determined to sort out EU touring . Beyond that , we support the Government ’ s plans to tackle secondary ticketing and are working closely with them on plans for skills reform and to deliver Martyn ’ s Law .
There will always be points of difference
Jon Collins
and emphasis while the wider economic picture rules out bolder interventions that would stimulate the growth the Government seeks e . g . bring VAT on tickets back to 5 % to remove the current artificial ceiling on the number of viable tours , festivals and venues .
LIVE ’ s work over the last three years has set the foundations for successful partnership with the new Government . Policymakers and officials understand who we are and the value we bring ( culturally , economically and as a source of soft power ). They understand our policy priorities and how we can help deliver for all parts of society , all across the UK .
Live music boasts unique assets , our product is loved and consumed all across the UK . Government gets that , working together , we can open up career opportunities at all levels , accelerate growth across our largest venues and events and nurture and support our grassroots venues and independent festivals . The challenge in the coming weeks , months and years is to ensure policy maximises those opportunities and avoids unintended consequences . We look forward to that challenge . accessaa . co . uk 17