AIM responds to King’s Speech, calls on new government to “protect the UK’s independent venues”

nme.com:

Association of Independent Music (AIM) has responded to today’s King’s Speech, urging the government to protect independent venues and secure a diverse future for British music.Earlier today (July 17), King Charles delivered the Labour government’s first King’s Speech in the House of Lords.

The speech set out the government’s priorities for the months ahead, as well as the bills they want to pass in the next parliamentary session, following the party’s general election victory.Alongside the 39 bills outlined were plans to strengthen local economies, reform the Apprenticeship Levy, and place stronger requirements on those developing Artificial Intelligence (AI).Gee Davy, Interim CEO of the AIM, has now responded to the speech, urging the new government to “strengthen the ‘agent of change principle’ in their housing and planning goals, to protect the UK’s independent venues and the music that makes a building feel like a home.”This comes amid a period of struggle for the live music sector, with Music Venue Trust’s 2023 report revealing that venues are currently closing at a rate of around two per week.

Last year alone, 125 grassroots venues shut down – causing a loss of 4,000 jobs, with 14,500 events no longer possible and 193,230 opportunities lost to musicians.Another key moment in the speech for the music industry was the new government’s plans to strengthen local economies, by introducing legislation to give new powers to metro mayors and combined authorities.

which Davy said “will help ensure music can thrive in every region and nation of the UK.”The speech also highlighted the government’s plans to introduce legislation surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI).