2025: a year of challenge, opportunity and delivery

As we head towards the end of 2025, it is a good time to reflect on LIVE’s achievements this year and just how far we have come as an organisation and a sector.  And the two are absolutely interlinked thanks to the foundational work in LIVE’s early days that established a framework and a network that places us at the heart of all things to do with the UK live music sector.

As the video below (put together by our friends at KINO) shows, it has been an incredibly busy year with LIVE engaged in a raft of policies, issues and campaigns.  From the truly groundbreaking development of the LIVE Trust and the Government’s tackling ticket touts to our ongoing work shaping the implementation of Martyn’s Law and the roll out of the Music Growth Package, or the harder yards on business rates and EU touring, LIVE is a respected partner of Government across multiple departments.

Our work is all the more vital given the current pressures in our sector and the extent of policy proposals, committee inquiries and legislative implementation that is currently under way.  With no pre-Christmas slow down, recent days have seen a raft of new announcements, proposals and developments.

LIVE gives evidence in Parliament as part of inquiry into ‘Major Events’

Having appeared before the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee on multiple occasions to give evidence on the challenges facing grassroots music, LIVE CEO, Jon Collins was back in Parliament recently to discuss the barriers and opportunities facing major events.  With the Committee defining major events as anything over 10,000 attendees, this presented an opportunity to examine how the Government’s broad commitment (as evidenced in the Industrial Strategy and Creative Industries Sector Plan) did not always win out when against some of the major departments of state.  This is most notable in the frustrations caused by the Home Office’s approach to visas and the Treasury’s damaging plans for business rates.  The former takes no account of the unique nature of our sector while the latter, a policy intended to boost the high street, is shaping to be a venue killer.

You can watch Jon here to find out more about what was discussed.  This was the first evidence session by the Committee so we should expect a report in Spring which will hopefully prompt Government action to remove barriers to growth.

King’s Speech sets target date for campaign on secondary ticketing

The King’s Speech is that point in the Parliamentary cycle when Government, via the monarch of the day, sets out the policy agenda for the year ahead.  It has now been indicated that the next KS will be in the immediate aftermath of next year’s local and devolved administration elections … meaning it is likely to take place on either May 12 or May 13.  

That’s important as only bills included in that speech are likely to become law in 2026 or 2027.  And we want the Government to bring forward with all speed the bill necessary to cap ticket resale and thus remove so much of the profit incentive for touts.  We know the Government is committed to acting in this space, and they know action on touts will be hugely popular with industry and the public (while not being expensive to implement).  LIVE will continue to work with FanFair and the redoubtable Sharon Hodgson MP to land that important slot in the speech and see this taken forward.

Business and Trade Committee launches inquiry into the live music sector

The Business and Trade Committee (similar to the CMS Committee but shadowing the Department for Business and Trade) is exploring issues impacting competition and market functioning in the UK live music industry, including the role of the CMA in regulation of the sector.  The Committee is seeking written submissions on characteristics, features and trends within the UK live music industry with a deadline for written submissions of 23 January 2026.  Topics of interest include the relationships between artists, promoters, venues, and ticketing platforms, and if there are any sectoral and regional variations.

LIVE Trust: a partner and supporter of charitable counterparts in the wider music landscape

With the LIVE Trust going from strength to strength (and exciting announcements planned for the New Year) it is important to recognise where the Trust sits alongside other established charities in this space.  LIVE has been clear from the start that the LIVE Trust exists to receive funds from the £1 contribution on tickets for shows over 5,000 capacity which it can then distribute to programmes in support of grassroots music in the UK (see the new standalone LIVE Trustwebsite for more details).

LIVE Trust is proud to sit alongside other funders and charitable organisations in the live music space. We hope that those supporting us via the £1 ticket contribution will also consider or continue funding those charities via other means - be that one off donations, fundraising events or sponsorship. Working with LIVE Trust should, in no way, preclude companies and individuals from supporting other established initiatives.

UK-EU reset bears further fruit with UK rejoining Erasmus+

LIVE’s position on the Domestic Advisory Group to the TCA (the post-Brexit agreement between the UK and EU) means we are well placed to push for EU touring reform specifically and take the temperature of UK-EU relations generally.  It was therefore encouraging to be briefed by officials this week on the successful conclusion of negotiations to rejoin Erasmus+.  At the same time, it looks like plans to deliver a youth experience scheme and have the UK within the EU’s internal energy market are also progressing well.  That creates a positive climate for our own discussions, demonstrating that deals can be done that benefit both sides.

LIVE’s Jon Collins appointed to Music Growth Package Advisory Group

Announced earlier this year as part of the Creative Industries Sector Plan, Arts Council England has now issued more information on a new fund designed to support the UK government’s mission to kickstart economic growth by investing in the creative industries.

The Music Growth Package will drive sustainable growth, nurture the next generation of talent, and strengthen the foundations of England’s vibrant music ecosystem.  The Advisory Group will shape how the Package of up to £30 million reaches emerging talent and helps strengthen grassroots music infrastructure across England.  Formed of artists and industry professionals from across the music sector and representing a broad range of genres, it will deliver real benefits for artists, creators and music professionals, alongside smaller and independent music businesses. 

Home Office launches consultation on security contractors

Building on the work of the Manchester Arena Inquiry (MAI), the Home Office has launched a consultation document (closing date, March 12th) on the licensing of security contractors and in-house CCTV operators.  This is, at least in part, a recognition of the crucial role security teams play in keeping the public safe.  They hold positions of responsibility, interact with vulnerable individuals, and can be first responders to terrorist incidents.  It is therefore the Government’s view that high standards of regulatory oversight of private security must be delivered consistently.

Licensing Sprint: Government signposts to new, positive guidance

Following its call for evidence in October seeking views and evidence on proposed reforms to licensing, the Government has now signposted relevant new documents and guidance.  In addition to the new national licensing policy framework (created in an effort to deliver greater consistency in licensing for venues and festivals), the Home Office has now issued revised s182 guidance to the Licensing Act 2003 which carries the most positive statement to date about how licensing can contribute to economic growth:

“When making licensing decisions, all licensing authorities should consider the need to promote growth and deliver economic benefits”.

Given our longstanding efforts to see the value of our industry better reflected at local regional and national level, this change is to be welcomed.

And finally...

LIVE has a track record of delivering for our industry though current and emerging challenges make clear the need for LIVE to deliver further.  None of this would be possible without the funding and support of businesses and organisations across our sector.  

Thank you to all our supporters and, from all at LIVE, here’s to a relaxing break over Christmas and New Year.  2026 is going to be another busy one in our venues and fields, for our artists, their teams and the wider sector.