Latest news with #DepartmentforCulture
ITV News
8 hours ago
- Business
- ITV News
Holiday let registration scheme to go live in April, tourism minister confirms
A registration scheme for holiday lets in England will go live by April next year, the tourism minister has confirmed, as the government attempts to redress the balance between housing for local people and holidaymakers. In an interview with ITV West Country, Sir Chris Bryant said the register will initially be voluntary, and will become mandatory for hosts of short-term holiday lets at a later date. "We need to make sure that we know how many short-term lets we've got in a particular area, because the local authorities have got to take account of that when they're planning," he said. "You also don't want villages to be over-populated for three months of the year and completely abandoned for the rest of the year," he added. "And you need to make sure there is a level playing field between hotels, which have to face all the health and safety requirements, and short-term lets. "So that's why we want to introduce, first of all, a voluntary register and then a mandatory register." Bryant, who leads the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, unveiled the timeline on a visit to Mylor Sailing School, where he was trying to promote the benefits of a career in the tourism industry. The idea for a mandatory national register was first introduced by the former Conservative government, in a bid to tackle the issue of short-term lets leaving fewer places for local people to live. According to figures obtained through a Freedom of Information Request, there were 14,412 second homes registered in Cornwall as of May this year, while more than 20,000 people in the county are on a waiting list for social housing. Under the Conservative government, plans were also announced to require landlords of long-term rental properties to obtain planning permission before converting them into short-term lets. Labour hasn't committed to implementing it, but North Cornwall's Liberal Democrat MP Ben Maguire has tabled a so-called 'Airbnb Bill' to try and reintroduce it. A spokesperson from AirBnb said the company welcomes the national registration system, and even "led calls" for one, but "overly restrictive local proposals and rising taxes for hosts risk the £222 million and 3,500 jobs that travel on Airbnb brings to the Cornish economy." The Government says it is committed to fixing the housing crisis and is aware that "excessive concentrations of second homes and short-term lets in areas like Cornwall can price out local people and damage public services."
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Musician calls out 'appalling' artist pay as new label-led deal for artists announced
The Government announced label-led measures to raise the earning of songwriters and session musicians in the UK, but veteran violinist Jennifer Maslin and the Musicians' Union say the changes fall flat After the UK government announced new measures to boost the earnings of songwriters, session musicians and legacy artists, one veteran session violinist says she's not impressed. While the new deal is being touted by the Government as the 'best deal' for artists, Jennifer Maslin says the meagre increase is still far from a living wage. On July 22, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced a 'major boost for UK music creators' backed by major record labels including Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group. The plans were put forward by the Creator Remuneration Working Group (CRWG) which is chaired by Sir Chris Bryant. The changes estimated by labels are expected to 'deliver tens of millions of pounds in new investment to support musicians by 2030'. The new measures also include a framework for legacy artists to renegotiate their contracts to increase their streaming earnings for existing work. Inside the AI music controversy clouding The Beatles' historic BRIT nomination Support for songwriters and composers includes a commitment to the payment of per diems and expenses for recording sessions, to ensure they are not left out of pocket. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and Musicians' Union have also agreed to raise session fees of up to 40 percent for pop sessions and 15 percent for classical sessions. Speaking to NME about the new measures, Sir Chris said: 'I honestly feel that this deal that we've struck here in the UK is the best deal there is in the world '. However session artists like Jennifer are unconvinced. Jennifer is a solo and session violinist in the UK with over three decades of experience. Speak to The Mirror she says the new deal is a step in the right direction but falls short, especially for classical musicians. "It's a great step forward that some recognition is finally being given to the appalling pay musicians are expected to live off.' Referencing Grammy-winning artist Raye and her infamous Ivor Novello Awards speech, Jennifer says: 'Raye was right that it's an insult songwriters are expected to work for free.' While she applauds Sir Chris' efforts to address the situation, Jennifer says that the £75 for songwriters in a gig economy 'with no pension or sick pay benefits' is still 'well under the living wage for a full working day'. She acknowledges that when it comes to recording session fees, 'things look brighter for pop session musicians though'. 'Let's hope we're now on the path to not being asked 'Is this your only job?' - and respecting being a musician for the training, artistry and dedication it requires,' she concludes. The Musicians' Union (MU) - the UK trade union which represents musicians in negotiations with employers, including major industry players - is also unimpressed by the new deal. MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl met repeatedly with the CRWG, however the union and Council of Music Makers as a whole 'remain disappointed that the labels have not addressed the key issues with music streaming economics '. For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. Musicians' Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl told The Mirror: "We are grateful to Minister Chris Bryant for the pressure he has put on record labels, and the majors in particular, to improve terms for artists on older contracts.' However, she says that while session rates were increased: 'this doesn't address a lack of royalties for session musicians and we also want to see modern royalty rates for all signed artists. The fundamental problems with music streaming economics remain.' MU says it will soon launch a petition calling for copyright reform. According to Naomi: 'We have also secured an additional meeting with the Minister in September to discuss session musician remuneration specifically." The Council of Music Makers, which includes the MU, is seeking: a minimum digital royalty rate for all new and legacy artists; a rolling commitment to write-off unrecouped balances of signed artists after 20 years; rights reversion so artists and songwriters can reclaim their rights after a set period of time; streaming royalties for session musicians; and a right to contract adjustment. Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Brits who stumble on certain coins must report them or risk jail sentence
The Treasure Act 1996 states that anyone who finds a hoard of coins or certain other objects and does not report them is committing an offence and could face a prison sentence UK households that discover particular coins must declare them to the authorities - or risk hefty penalties. Under the Treasure Act 1996, those who make discoveries are legally obliged to report potential Treasure finds. From now on, watch out for any unique coins. Treasure encompasses gold or silver artefacts, or collections of coins from the same discovery site which are all at least 300 years old. Collections of two or more prehistoric base-metal assemblages also count as Treasure. Your local finds liaison officer will gladly offer guidance on what might constitute Treasure and assist you through the Treasure declaration procedure. Government guidance, supervised by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), states: "You must report treasure to your local Finds Liaison Officer within either: 14 days of first finding it [or] 14 days of realising an item might be treasure, even if you've had it for longer. You only need to report items officially defined as treasure. "There's an unlimited fine or up to three months in prison for not reporting treasure." You will receive contact from either a local Finds Liaison Officer or museum curator to discuss how and where you made the discovery. Then, you'll receive a receipt. The Finds Liaison Officer or museum curator will subsequently prepare a report on the discovery. Museums may express interest if it could be treasure. The coroner will subsequently conduct an inquest, reports Birmingham Live. You might be invited to attend the inquest, alongside the site occupier and landowner where the treasure was discovered, and given the chance to pose questions. The Treasure Valuation Committee will enlist the expertise of a specialist to determine the value of the find. They will then advise the Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the treasure's worth and how much should be allocated to anyone entitled to a portion of the reward. You'll have the opportunity to voice your thoughts on the valuation, along with the site occupier and landowner. If you're the discoverer, had permission to be on the land and acted in good faith, you may receive a share of the reward. However, if you act dishonestly (for instance by trespassing or attempting to conceal the find), your share of the reward may be reduced or even forfeited entirely. Archaeologists and volunteers involved in an archaeological dig or investigation are not eligible for a share in a reward. The items will be returned to you, and both the landowner and site occupier will be notified. They have the right to object within 28 days. The coroner will retain the find until any disputes are settled.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
UK bids for 2029 World Athletics Championships with government backing
THE UK government has thrown its support behind the United Kingdom's bid to host the World Athletics Championships and World Para Athletics Championships in 2029, PA Media/dpa reported. The events were last held in the UK in 2017 at the London Stadium, five years after hosting the Olympic Games. London is the proposed location for the World Athletics Championships in 2029, when the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport said 'the government is committed to taking the World Paras beyond the capital, with a host city to be confirmed in due course.' Prime Minister Keir Starmer said bringing the World Athletics Championships to the UK would be moment of great national pride, building on the country's global reputation for hosting memorable sporting events that showcase the very best talent. 'Hosting these championships would not only unlock opportunities for UK athletes but also would inspire the next generation to get involved and pursue their ambitions. 'The event would provide a boost for UK businesses and support jobs as well as bring our communities together. I'm delighted to support the bid,' he said. The government department has confirmed it will provide 'significant funding for both bids' and will work closely with bidder Athletic Ventures, UK Sport, and host cities. Lisa Nandy, secretary of state for Culture, Media, and Sport, said major sporting events deliver unforgettable moments and have the power to bring the country together like little else. 'That's why we're excited to be backing a bid to bring the World Athletics and World Para Athletics Championships back to the UK in 2029. 'As part of our Plan for Change, we want to build on our world-class reputation as hosts, delivering not just economic benefits for the country but engaging communities, inspiring the next generation, and showcasing the best of Britain to the world,' she said. - Bernama, PA Media/dpa
Rhyl Journal
6 days ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Starmer backs bid to bring 2029 World Athletics Championships to London
Last month, more than 100 athletes including Keely Hodgkinson and Sir Mo Farah called on the Prime Minister to support the bid to bring the championships to the Olympic stadium in London. On Saturday, with London set to host a sold-out Diamond League event, Sir Keir confirmed he would support a bid for the championships and World Para Athletics Championships. He said: 'Bringing the World Athletics Championships to the UK would be a moment of great national pride, building on our global reputation for hosting memorable sporting events that showcase the very best talent.' If successful, the 2029 event would be the first time the World Athletics Championships had taken place in London since 2017. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said the Government would provide 'significant' financial backing for the bids, subject to there being funding from other sources. It will also look to bid for the World Para Athletics Championships to be held outside London, with a host city to be announced later. Sir Keir said hosting the championships 'would not only unlock opportunities for UK athletes but it would inspire the next generation to get involved and pursue their ambitions'. He added: 'The event would provide a boost for UK businesses and support jobs as well as bring our communities together.' Jack Buckner, chief executive of UK Athletics, welcomed the Prime Minister's commitment, saying hosting the events would 'drive the sport on to new heights' in the UK. Athletes also welcomed the announcement. Olympic medallist and 1,500m world champion Josh Kerr said taking part in the 2017 championships had 'lit a fire in me'. Double heptathlon world champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson said it would 'show what British athletics is all about', while para-athlete Zak Skinner said hosting the World Para Athletics Championships 'would be a huge statement — not just for our athletes, but for the next generation watching in the stands or at home'. A successful bid would add two more events to the string of sporting championships to be hosted in the UK in the next five years, including this year's Women's Rugby World Cup, the Women's T20 Cricket World Cup in 2026, Euro 2028 and the Men's T20 Cricket World Cup in 2030. This year's championships will take place in Tokyo, while the 2027 edition will be hosted by Beijing.
