HELP FOR THOSE EMPLOYED IN THE PERFORMING ARTS

That this House is aware of the recent Report of the Select Committee for Culture, Media and Sport which both commented upon and made a number of positive suggestions to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on possible improvements to the Licensing Act; notes that whilst the Government accepted some changes, such as making life easier for entertainment such as travelling circuses, it rejected other important recommendations such as enabling exemptions for small events, as well as a range of other measures designed to cut red tape to help both promoters and entertainers alike; and believes that the Government needs to seriously address these and other related issues, especially in the light of such factors as the recent application of the smoking ban at venues, and the scale of pub and club closures, together with the effect of the recent economic crisis, which has made life more difficult for those who work in or rely upon the performing arts.