Ten days ago the Chief Executives of NCVO, NAVCA and Volunteering England wrote to Government Ministers calling on them to protect the very smallest charities from new music charges (a copy of the letter is published below).

As a result, NCVO has learnt that the legislation due to be laid last week will now be delayed. A spokesperson for the IPO said “the statutory instrument will not be laid before recess.”

The charges were due to be introduced by the Intellectual Property Office, which is part of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The Government’s own figures suggest that this will cost voluntary and community organisations up to £20 million a year. We will continue to work with all parties concerned to find a suitable solution.

This letter is the latest action in NCVO’s ‘Don’t Stop the Music’ campaign – get involved by joining our Facebook group or emailing dontstopthemusic@ncvo-vol.org.uk.

The letter:

Baroness Wilcox
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
1 Victoria Street
London, SW1H 0ET

22 July 2010

Dear Baroness Wilcox

As you will no doubt be aware, this week the Prime Minister has set out his vision for building the Big Society and has reiterated his commitment to the very smallest voluntary and community organisations and the role they play in our society. We welcome his commitment to make it easier for voluntary and community groups to operate through the reduction of red tape and administration costs.

We understand there is a degree of urgency in addressing the music licensing issue and we are keen to find a suitable solution. We recognise there are legitimate grounds for musicians to be compensated – however small organisations would be adversely affected if asked to pay at the levels suggested.

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