Recommendations & Conclusions
4 items
8
Recommendation
First Report - The future of UK music f…
Rejected
The UK has long occupied an important place in Europe’s live music ecosystem, and has traditionally been a starting point for tours creating work for UK-based freelancers and suppliers. The substantial UK-based infrastructure, including haulage, for tours and festivals is currently at risk unless the Government finds a solution to …
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The UK has long occupied an important place in Europe’s live music ecosystem, and has traditionally been a starting point for tours creating work for UK-based freelancers and suppliers. The substantial UK-based infrastructure, including haulage, for tours and festivals is currently at risk unless the Government finds a solution to Brexit-related costs and complexities. We recommend that the Government report to us, monthly, on actions it is taking to alleviate this issue bilaterally and with the EU Commission.
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Government response AI summary
The Government details actions taken to support touring artists, including establishing a working group and providing new guidance. However, it implicitly rejects monthly reporting to the Committee, stating its own communication channels are considered most appropriate for updates.
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
12
Conclusion
First Report - The future of UK music f…
Rejected
We are highly concerned that a compressed festival season, the likely circulation of high-strength, adulterated drugs and increased risk-taking after lockdown will lead to a spike in drug-related deaths at festivals this summer. We heard compelling 34 The future of UK music festivals arguments that drug checking saves lives, but …
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We are highly concerned that a compressed festival season, the likely circulation of high-strength, adulterated drugs and increased risk-taking after lockdown will lead to a spike in drug-related deaths at festivals this summer. We heard compelling 34 The future of UK music festivals arguments that drug checking saves lives, but in many cases service providers and police forces are being constrained by a lack of clarity in the legal framework and the need for a stronger evidence base. While it would be preferable for the UK to develop a dedicated legal framework for drug checking services, rather than try to retrofit the existing legislation, this will take time.
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Government response AI summary
The Government acknowledges concerns about festival drug testing but states it is unable to support front-of-house testing until further assessments of unintended consequences are carried out, thus rejecting the implied recommendation for this type of drug checking. It will, however, continue to support back-of-house testing.
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
13
Recommendation
First Report - The future of UK music f…
Rejected
We recommend that, before festivals take place this summer, the Home Secretary should make regulations under section 7 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 that allow organisations conducting drug checking to operate lawfully. Thereafter, the Government should introduce a dedicated licensing scheme for drug checking to set a clear …
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We recommend that, before festivals take place this summer, the Home Secretary should make regulations under section 7 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 that allow organisations conducting drug checking to operate lawfully. Thereafter, the Government should introduce a dedicated licensing scheme for drug checking to set a clear legal framework and minimum standards that service providers must meet. Within the next six months, DCMS should convene a roundtable on such a licensing scheme bringing together the Home Office, the Department of Health and Social Care, police representatives, festival organisers and service providers.
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Government response AI summary
The Government states it is unable to support front-of-house drug testing at festivals until further assessments of potential unintended consequences are carried out, thereby rejecting the immediate recommendation for regulations and a licensing scheme. However, it will continue to support back-of-house testing.
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
14
Recommendation
First Report - The future of UK music f…
Rejected
With tickets on sale for festivals that might not take place, we are concerned that the difficulty of securing refunds from secondary ticketing platforms, and the industry’s understandable desire to maximise sales, could mean consumers lose out as the events industry emerges from the pandemic. We recommend that the Government …
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With tickets on sale for festivals that might not take place, we are concerned that the difficulty of securing refunds from secondary ticketing platforms, and the industry’s understandable desire to maximise sales, could mean consumers lose out as the events industry emerges from the pandemic. We recommend that the Government assesses the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in its Post Implementation Review of the Breaching of Limits on Ticket Sales Regulations 2018, which it committed to conducting between 2021 and 2023. (Paragraph 90) The future of UK music festivals 35
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Government response AI summary
The government rejected the recommendation to assess the COVID-19 pandemic's impact in a formal Post Implementation Review of the Ticket Sales Regulations 2018, stating such a review is not appropriate, though it committed to ongoing monitoring of the offence's effectiveness.
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport