UK Government to introduce stricter criteria for tour funding after Kneecap legal battle
The UK Government has introduced stricter criteria for determining eligibility for tour funding through the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGs).
New guidance was published on 3rd December by the British Phonographic Industry, which is responsible for administrating the support, just as the latest £1.6 million funding tranche opened.
Grants of between £5,000 and £15,000 are available to support live tours amid rapidly rising costs. According to a report by Arts Professional, updated criteria stipulates anyone applying must self-declare associations that risk bringing the initiative into disrepute. This covers offences relating to terrorism, violence, sexual misconduct, fraud and corruption.
Applicants will undergo extra scrutiny by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), including a review of social media activity and news coverage. Breaches of the Equality Act 2010 or the Human Rights Act 1998 will also increase the chances of being rejected, awards getting delayed or even taken back.
The move follows a lengthy review into the MEGs process triggered by a £15,000 payment to Kneecap. The group successfully applied for the money in December 2023, but support was temporarily withdrawn by then-Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, who claimed the Irish rap outfit were “opposed to the United Kingdom”.
The trio responded with accusations of censorship, suggesting the block was a direct result of their highly political music, release and tour artwork, use of Gallic language and vehement criticism of Downing Street’s domestic and foreign policy.
A discrimination court case then ruled in favour of Kneecap, declaring Badenoch’s decision as “unlawful and procedurally unfair”. The money was paid out, and the group donated it to local charities in Belfast. The Labour government chose not to contest this verdict, but has now amended the framework which made the award possible in the first place.
Separate to all this, the group have courted controversy due to their vocal support of Palestine and staunch criticism of Israel’s genocide in Gaza. The trio faced a terrorism charge earlier this year over the alleged waving of a flag associated with Hezbollah at a live show. The charge was thrown out of court in September.
