‘Music ban will hit British way of life’
VILLAGE halls, churches and community groups may have to turn off their music under a regulation being imposed by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, the Conservatives warned yesterday.
From April, charities and community groups are set to lose their exemption from the requirement to hold a licence in order to play recorded music on their premises.
Tory charities spokesman Nick Hurd said the move would slap a £20million tax on thousands of voluntary groups across the country. Analysis by Lord Mandelson’s department predicted some organisations would stop playing music because they cannot afford a licence.
It said a quarter of a million bodies could be affected by the £81-a-year fee, including 140,000 charities, 6,750 charity shops, 66,440 sports clubs, 4,000 community buildings, 5,000 rural halls and 45,000 religious buildings. Mr Hurd said: “This is another Labour assault on the fabric of British community life.”
