A charity has called for business rates cuts to be matched across the whole of the UKBusiness rate cuts for pubs, clubs and live music venues across England will “begin to restore the central role” of live music at the heart of towns and cities, according to the Music Venue Trust. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced rates will be cut by 20% for pubs, clubs and live music venues across England from April next year. The charity, which acts to protect, secure and improve UK grassroots music venues, called for the same relief to be offered across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The discount will apply to nearly 32,000 hospitality businesses but will not be available to the very largest live music venues. We have lost too many venues to soaring business rates and these cuts offer a crucial lifeline to those still struggling to make ends meet.