Fight to protect charities against music charges

Currently, any organisation has to pay a fee in to obtain a licence to be able to play music, be that a live performance or through a stereo.

But a proposal has been put forward to introduce an extra charge, the cash from which would benefit performers and record companies.

Hucknall's Labour MP Paddy Tipping believes such a charge would discourage community organisations from staging events where music would ordinarily be played.

In protest at the plans, he has joined more than 100 other MPs to sign a Parliamentary motion against the idea.

He has also written to Fran Nevrkla, chairman and chief executive of Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL), who would collect the money.

Mr Tipping is calling for a "long-lasting solution" that balances the needs of music performers and charities.

In the letter, Mr Tipping writes: "I am incredibly concerned about the impact this will have on the voluntary and community sector.

"There is a fear that many organisations may simply cancel fundraising events or activities specifically designed to enhance their beneficiaries' lives."

Mr Tipping is supporting a national campaign, which is entitled 'Don't Stop The Music' and is being run by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).

Should the idea go ahead, PPL says it would not make any concessions for the voluntary sector. A minimum charge of 80 has been suggested.

Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO, said: "There are thousands of voluntary and community groups across Nottinghamshire that already run on incredibly tight budgets.

"They support disadvantaged people and will rightly wonder how they will afford to pay this extra fee."