Grass-roots Music Venues

Earl of Clancarty Excerpts

Monday 26th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Vaizey of Didcot (Con)]

My Lords—

[The Earl of Clancarty (CB)]

My Lords—

[Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms and Chief Whip (Lord Kennedy of Southwark) (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, there is plenty of time. We will hear from the Lib Dems next, then the Conservative Benches.

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Livermore (Lab)]

I do not think so. I shall repeat what my right honourable friend Ian Murray, the Culture Minister, said on the industry levy:

“My ambition is to see the voluntary levy in place for as many concerts as possible and, as a milestone in that progress, for at least 50% of tickets on sale for stadium and arena shows in 2026”


to have adopted the levy by 31 December.

“Following this, I would like to see this target brought as close to 100% as possible”.

[The Earl of Clancarty (CB)]

My Lords, further to the question asked by the noble Lord, Lord Clement-Jones, is the Minister aware that as well as the possibility of closures, there is the danger that our recording studios may up sticks and move abroad? With the continuing effect of Brexit on the music industry, unfortunately, they will not need a great deal of encouragement.

[Lord Livermore (Lab)]

As noble Lords will know, I am very happy to agree with the noble Earl on the last point he raises: the incredibly damaging effect of Brexit on that sector in particular. He will like to know that, along with the EU, we have jointly recognised the value of travel and cultural artistic exchanges, including the activities of touring artists, and we will continue our efforts to support travel and cultural exchange. We will explore how best to improve arrangements for touring across the European continent with the EU and other EU member states.