Culture minister Matt Hancock has written to London mayor Sadiq Khan urging him to address allegations of unfair use of ‘form 696’ to shut down grime events in the capital.
The call comes as promoters and licensees question the Metropolitan Police’s risk assessment procedures for music events featuring DJs and MCs, chiefly the use of its ‘form 696’.
Police say the form aims to ensure event owners provide a safe environment for those attending events, including musicians, performers, staff and the public. They believe it helps to reduce crime and disorder, and encourages venues, police, local authorities and promoters to share information about events.
However, some grime artists and promoters claim information passed on via the form has prompted the cancellation of gigs at the last minute.
In response, Hancock has said in an open letter to Khan: ‘I am concerned that the form is not only potentially stifling young artists and reducing the diversity of London’s world renowned musical offering, but is also having a negative impact on London’s night time economy by pushing organisers and promoters of urban music events to take them outside London.’
He went on to add: ‘…I’m sure you will agree that anything which has the potential to impact negatively on free expression and London’s economy while denying young people the opportunity to attend and perform at certain events, needs careful consideration.
‘Genres of urban music like grime have the same significance for today’s young people as punk did in the seventies, empowering them, creating a new generation of musical heroes and growing to become a worldwide phenomenon. I strongly believe that we should be encouraging and embracing all musical genres, building on London's rich musical history as the city that gave us The Kinks, David Bowie, the Sex Pistols and Amy Winehouse.’
UK Music chief executive Jo Dipple has supported Hancock’s call, urging anyone with first-hand experience of misuse of form 696 to contact her organisation.
She said: ‘UK Music thanks the minister who has a track record of stepping in to support British musicians. It is important to make sure form 696 is not being unfairly used against particular musical genres. Discrimination against any musician damages all of us. It reduces the diversity of our output and limits our ability to reach our economic potential.
‘We ask that anyone with first-hand experience of misuse of form 696 contacts UK Music. British music is successful because it is diverse. It is right that government is stepping in on this issue and we will work with the minister, the mayor’s office and the Metropolitan Police to properly examine and address any misuse of this form. It must be emphasised that this is not a criticism of the Met Police who do amazing work in very difficult circumstances.’
The call comes as promoters and licensees question the Metropolitan Police’s risk assessment procedures for music events featuring DJs and MCs, chiefly the use of its ‘form 696’.
Police say the form aims to ensure event owners provide a safe environment for those attending events, including musicians, performers, staff and the public. They believe it helps to reduce crime and disorder, and encourages venues, police, local authorities and promoters to share information about events.
However, some grime artists and promoters claim information passed on via the form has prompted the cancellation of gigs at the last minute.
In response, Hancock has said in an open letter to Khan: ‘I am concerned that the form is not only potentially stifling young artists and reducing the diversity of London’s world renowned musical offering, but is also having a negative impact on London’s night time economy by pushing organisers and promoters of urban music events to take them outside London.’
He went on to add: ‘…I’m sure you will agree that anything which has the potential to impact negatively on free expression and London’s economy while denying young people the opportunity to attend and perform at certain events, needs careful consideration.
‘Genres of urban music like grime have the same significance for today’s young people as punk did in the seventies, empowering them, creating a new generation of musical heroes and growing to become a worldwide phenomenon. I strongly believe that we should be encouraging and embracing all musical genres, building on London's rich musical history as the city that gave us The Kinks, David Bowie, the Sex Pistols and Amy Winehouse.’
UK Music chief executive Jo Dipple has supported Hancock’s call, urging anyone with first-hand experience of misuse of form 696 to contact her organisation.
She said: ‘UK Music thanks the minister who has a track record of stepping in to support British musicians. It is important to make sure form 696 is not being unfairly used against particular musical genres. Discrimination against any musician damages all of us. It reduces the diversity of our output and limits our ability to reach our economic potential.
‘We ask that anyone with first-hand experience of misuse of form 696 contacts UK Music. British music is successful because it is diverse. It is right that government is stepping in on this issue and we will work with the minister, the mayor’s office and the Metropolitan Police to properly examine and address any misuse of this form. It must be emphasised that this is not a criticism of the Met Police who do amazing work in very difficult circumstances.’
