The UK Government has launched Turn It Up: Our Plan for Music, a new national strategy designed to strengthen the UK’s music sector by investing in talent, education, grassroots venues and the wider music industry.
The plan aims to ensure the UK remains one of the world’s leading music nations while making music more accessible to people from all backgrounds. It brings together existing initiatives alongside new investment to support artists, venues, festivals, educators and music businesses.
A key theme throughout the strategy is the recognition that the licensing framework has an important role to play in supporting the live music and events sector. While many of the proposals require further consultation or legislative change, the Government has signalled its intention to work closely with local authorities and industry stakeholders as reforms are developed.
Key proposals include:
- Strengthening the Agent of Change principle by updating the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), with revised planning guidance to follow. The strategy also encourages local authorities to embed the Agent of Change principle within their local licensing policies to help protect existing music venues from the impact of new developments.
- Reviewing the statutory nuisance regime to ensure greater consistency and proportionality across the UK, particularly in relation to noise management.
- Increasing Temporary Event Notice (TEN) allowances by legislating to permanently increase the maximum number of TENs for licensed premises from 15 to 20 per calendar year, and increasing the total number of permitted event days from 21 to 26. The Government believes this will provide greater flexibility for licensed venues, community events and emerging artists.
- Providing greater certainty for festivals and established events through updated National Licensing Policy Framework (NLPF) guidance. The Government intends that established events should normally receive licences of at least five years (and potentially 10-year or lifetime licences, where appropriate), while new events would benefit from a presumption of three-year licences. One-off or trial events could continue to receive one-year licences where appropriate.
- Encouraging local authorities to remove outdated licence conditions through the minor variation process where appropriate, helping to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens without undermining the licensing objectives.
- Promoting proportionate licensing practices, including lighter-touch reviews for events with a strong safety record or smaller new events, while encouraging organisers to engage with local communities, plan effectively and use evidence-based approaches to managing issues such as noise.
The strategy recognises the importance of consistency in local licensing and proposes new business friendly guidance for festivals and venues, with the aim of supporting economic growth while maintaining appropriate safeguards. The Government intends to develop this guidance in partnership with local authorities and the music sector.
At this stage, the strategy sets out the Government’s policy direction rather than immediate legislative change. It does not specify when these licensing reforms will be introduced or provide a timetable for implementation. Further consultation, updated guidance and, in some cases, primary legislation will be required before the proposals come into effect.
For more information, please feel free to contact any of our licensing solicitors on 0115 953 8500.
