Andrew Turner is supporting the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) in opposing changes to regulations that would hit charities and voluntary groups. New regulations are to be introduced affecting PPL Licences (Phonographic Performances Ltd) that cover the rights to play recorded music or even have a radio playing in a public place. In the small print of the new regulations it is proposed that long-standing exemptions from music licensing rules for charities and voluntary organisations are to be withdrawn. The old system reflected the public benefit that the organisations provide but this is being ignored under new rules.

The new regulations are set to come into effect in April but need to be ratified by a vote in Parliament. The Island’s MP has pledged to vote against them. The changes would affect organisations such as churches, charity shops, village halls and sports clubs who would have to pay for a licence in future. The PPL licence would be in addition to the PRS (Performing Rights Society) Licence which passes payment on to composers and songwriters and publishers of recorded music.

Mr Turner said :
“The Government’s own figures estimate that the new PPL levy would take an extra £20million every year from the voluntary sector. This seems to me to be a big ‘money-go-round’ with ridiculous levels of bureaucracy involved. You will now need two licences for a charity shop to have a radio on in the back-room for volunteers to listen to whilst sorting out the stock. The Government went through a consultation exercise and then appear to have ignored the results. Lord Mandelson doesn’t appear to have thought this through at all.”

END Contact : Andrew Turner’s office 01983 530808
NCVO –campaign details - http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/policy-research-analysis/our-campaigns/dontstopthemusic