With new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham being a proven fan of live music, and the first former Culture Secretary to become PM, LIVE CEO Jon Collins outlines what he believes and hopes his fellow Everton fan should focus on to enable the live music industry to thrive. 

Andy Burnham’s acceptance speech on taking over as Labour leader had a central pledge – to bring back hope.  So here are my hopes for our new PM as he settles in to Number 10.

I hope he hangs around. Stability is good for business and it is vital for running any business (or even a country). We have had far too many PMs in recent times so here’s hoping he sticks around to the next election, due in 2029.

I hope he uses that time to prove that, as the first former Culture Secretary to become Prime Minister, not only is he a huge fan of live music (having stood with him in a monsoon while watching Red Rum Club, I can testify to his commitment to the gig) but that he understands the interventions his Government can make that will allow our sector to thrive.

I hope that, domestically, he follows though on his previous commitments to a business rates reduction for live music venues – both to ease cost pressures and facilitate more shows which, in turn, drives activity across our high streets. And an acceleration of plans for the introduction of the Ticket Touts Ban Bill will mean an end to lengthy online queues as actual fans battle bots, and the protection of consumers sooner rather than later.

“I would urge the new PM and his team to look at the case for a Festival Tax Relief.”

I also hope he is rapid in his devolution of more powers to the Metro Mayors. We only have to look at the great work that has been done in Liverpool and is being done in the Northeast and Greater Manchester to see that this regional level is a sweet spot for our sector.  Not a hope, but while we are on domestic points, I would urge the new PM and his team to look at the case for a Festival Tax Relief and a cultural rate of VAT on tickets. Both would deliver growth and ease cost pressures, which should help with the cost of living.

And finally, on international matters, there is a simple hope for a solution to a complex problem. Brexit is, of course, the main reason we have had a succession of PMs and a prolonged period of instability. It has also caused UK businesses to relocate to the EU, left European venues and festivals with reduced access to UK talent and created expensive and complex barriers for UK artists, orchestras and crew. There is political will to deliver a solution, I hope a new PM can provide the impetus to turn that will into a positive outcome.

The PM, like me, is a season ticket holder at Everton. I know all too well, that gives him a depth of character formed in adverse circumstances. If he can hold on to hope when skies are grey then brighter times might be just around the corner.

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