British musicians have been fighting the government’s plans for new licensing of live music. But now, “in a move described by the Musicians’ Union as ‘unprecedented’, the arts minister, Estelle Morris, yesterday announced the formation of a task force whose sole aim was to safeguard the future of live music in England and Wales. Figures from the music industry, the Arts Council, local authorities, owners of small venues and the government will sit on the task force for two years.”