Live Music

Baroness Coffey Excerpts

Thursday 2nd July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Coffey (Con)]

My Lords, “Do You Want to Know a Secret”, “It’s Not Unusual”, “Hit the Road Jack”, “We Will Rock You” and “Song 2” are all songs that last just two minutes, the length of our speeches, but have had a long-lasting impact and show that music has the unique ability to bring people together across generations and communities.

I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Brennan of Canton, on eloquently setting out in his speech the importance of the matter, and I congratulate him on getting the debate. We know that, whether they are in our great concert halls, theatres, churches, festivals, or grass-roots venues that nurture emerging talent, such performances enrich our national life and strengthen the social fabric of our country. The economic contribution is equally compelling, with the industry contributing several billions of pounds and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs, yet none of this success is guaranteed. Our international reputation as a musical powerhouse rests upon the strength of our grass-roots sector, and pretty much every globally recognised British artist began by performing in small venues in front of audiences.

Too many venues face mounting financial pressures, particularly from rising energy costs and business rates. When venues close, we lose local culture and the opportunity for local talent to prosper. Therefore, supporting live music is both a cultural choice and an economic necessity. Venues were well supported during the pandemic—the Cavern Club was saved in Liverpool. I welcome the voluntary levy, which has raised more than £6 million since starting last year. It is right that the industry supports the grass roots, just as we see in football. The previous Government abolished permitted demolition rights for live music venues.

I appreciate that not every music venue will be saved. Even the Hacienda in Manchester, which hosted the career-defining gigs of the Stone Roses and New Order, and where Madonna had her first concert in the UK, is now a block of flats. But it is the changes to business rates that have hit really hard. While the Government gave 15% relief on business rates, I ask them to go much further, to make sure we have live music for generations to come.