Grass-roots Music Venues

Lord Bassam of Brighton Excerpts

Monday 26th January 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Bassam of Brighton]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the 2025 Budget on grassroots music venues.

[The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Livermore) (Lab)]

My Lords, we are introducing permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties, including grass-roots music venues, worth nearly £1 billion a year. As part of the changes to business rates, we announced a £4.3 billion support package to protect those facing higher bills after revaluation. We have also more than doubled funding to support independent artists and grass-roots music venues as part of the music growth package, building on the UK’s strength as a world-leading creative industries destination.

[Lord Bassam of Brighton (Lab)]

My Lord, that is a very welcome response from the Minister, but I wonder what assessment His Majesty’s Government have made of forecasts that increased business rate valuations could result in a closure of between 80 to 120 grass-roots music venues and place a further 120-plus at risk. How do the Government square this with their welcome commitment to high street regeneration, creative sector growth, the night-time economy and protecting cultural infrastructure? Will the Minister agree to meet representatives from the sector to discuss the issue further?