'social responsibility levy' storm in a festival T cup?

The media on Scotland has been putting festivals such as T in the Park in the spotlight with a new Scottish Government paper on the Alcohol Bill currently under discussion in Scotland.

Yesterday, in Scottish Parliament it was agreed that The Alcohol Bill will ban quantity discounts, restrict alcohol promotions in off-sales, introduce a Challenge 25 age verification scheme for all licensed premises, and pave the way for the introduction of a social responsibility levy to ensure those who profit from the sale of alcohol also put something back into the community.

The media has particularly highlighted how this 'Social Responsibility Levy' or what's being described as the "clear-up tax" will be aimed at festivals.

The Scottish media has been suggesting Councils will in future force festivals to pay up to meet the cost of clearing up after revellers. One of Scotland's biggest festivals T In The Park has been cited as a festival which could incur additional costs.

In reality however, festivals such as T in the Park already pay a 'Social Responsibility Levy' whereby the costs of policing, litter, stewarding and the impact of social issues such as noise are already dealt with. In this respect festivals are already leading the way, implementing "clean up" measures well ahead of any legislation, and striving to put something back into the community year on year.

The truth is most Scottish festivals will probably meet or even exceed any best practice suggested in the new legislation. It's even possible that festivals such as T in the Park could actually prove a role model to other types of licensed premises affected by the bill.

The exact details of how the levy will actually be implemented are some way off. Once government policy is created in detail it will then have to be thrashed out by each individual Council in Scotland before license holders like hotels, clubs, restaurants, pubs, supermarkets, venues, and outdoor events discover the fine details. T in the Park itself is keeping tabs on the situation, but also stresses the point that any legislation is still some way off.

eFestivals has received a statement from T in the Park saying, "As yet, there are no specific details on the implementation of any Social Responsibility Levy within the proposals for the Scottish Alcohol Bill. Subsequently it's not possible for T in the Park to comment on how any of Scotland's 32 local councils could or would consider implementation of such tarrifs. As Festival organisers we continue to work very closely with Perth and Kinross Council on all elements of event licensing processes."

eFestivals believes that the only new policy that would possibly effect T in the Park goers could be the age verification policy. T in the Park was previously five years ahead of the age 21 policy, and could possibly once again lead the way bringing in an age 25 verification policy, but it's unlikely that any decision has been made so soon after yesterday's agreement.

The eighteenth T in the Park will be back at Balado in 2011 from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th July. Expect a line-up of around 180 artists to play over 11 stages. No acts are confirmed yet for 2011.Ticket prices for T in the Park 2011 have not yet been announced, and are not currently on sale.

Latest Updates