Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket MP pledges to continue his ongoing campaign against new red tape on local musicians:

David Ruffley MP pledged to campaign against the plans to hit local musicians with new red-tape and fees. David Ruffley has been in regular contact with local musicians and churches about the Licensing Bill which is currently before Parliament. He has warned that it will force local churches to pay for licences to hold nativity plays or concerts. Now music organisations across the country have warned that they also face a 'music tax'.

Under these proposed new laws, musicians face a criminal conviction if they perform in public without a licence. This could include an unlicensed piano in a bar or a concert in a village hall- even if the performance is for charity.

David said: 'Obviously, large public entertainment events need to be licensed. But these new laws threaten to engulf local musicians throughout the towns and villages in Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket and Needham Market in red tape. Many venues that will be at risk do not currently require licences. Local community events will be at risk; these compulsory new fees- an effective 'music tax'- will make many events financially unviable. It will reduce community participation in musical arts and take money away from charity. Furthermore, many venues currently used for live music will cease to be available as they will not be prepared to meet the additional cost and burden of having to apply for a licence.

'I fear this is yet another example of Whitehall red-tape and regulation damaging voluntary groups, churches and village halls, as well as depriving musicians of opportunities to perform in public many of which are based in rural towns and villages throughout Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket. I will continue campaigning against these flawed new laws.'