Licensing U-turn lifts threat to church music

A threat to church music was lifted yesterday when the Government back-tracked over its plans to overhaul the licensing system.

Proposals from ministers would have required places of worship to obtain licences if they organised five or more concerts a year. The Government had been warned that many churches could face bills of thousands of pounds to stage organ recitals or choral concerts. There were also fears that prestigious musical festivals could be threatened.

Yesterday Kim Howells, the Culture minister, said the proposed Licensing Bill would not apply to places of worship that put on music performances. Mr Howells said the exemption would, "enable religious institutions and music societies to flourish.

"Concerns were raised about our original proposals for licensing regulated entertainment in places of worship by a range of groups," he said. "We have listened to their concerns and taken them on board."

The Government also announced that village halls and community centres would not have to pay for licences to stage entertainment. Their status had been left vague by the original Bill.

The Musicians' Union, which has mounted a vociferous campaign against the Bill, welcomed the moves. But Hamish Birchall, an adviser, added: "It doesn't really address our central proposal, which was that small-scale music making should be exempt from licensing ... our protest will continue."