By Will Charley, political reporter

As we reported earlier, ministers have outlined a host of measures designed to ease the pressures that hospitality businesses in England are facing.

But the proposals outlined by Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson will only apply to pubs and music venues – leaving other companies in the hospitality sector – such as restaurants, cafes, and soft play centres – no better off.

‘Government must think again’

Tom Kiehl, the chief executive of UK Music told Sky News that his trade body welcomes extra support for pubs and music venues – but warned ministers “must not forget recording studios that are facing crippling rate increases”.

He asked: “Why should the studio used to film Hamnet be entitled to business rate relief, yet the studio used to record the soundtrack not be eligible? 

“Recording studios must not be treated as poor cousins in the creative economy. The government must think again.”

‘We need a new robust reliable method’

Jon Collins, the CEO of LIVE (Live music, Industry Venues and Entertainment), told Sky News: “Including all live music venues from grassroots to arenas within the new business rates relief package recognises the role they play as anchor institutions for town and city centres, driving footfall into pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels and shops.”

But he added: “We now need a new, robust, reliable method of Rateable Value calculation that reflects the realities of operating live music venues, and is not based on generic data.”

Ministers ‘must do more’ for businesses besides pubs 

Labour MP Anneliese Midgley wrote a letter to the chancellor earlier this year calling for music venues to be saved, which was signed by almost 50 MPs.

Speaking to Sky News, she said: “I very much welcomes the measures announced today”.

But she insisted: “The government must do more to ensure that our world-leading recording studios have the support they need to survive. 

“Without studios, there will be nowhere for young musicians to learn their craft or for artists to create award-winning albums.” 

Midgley, who sits on the Commons culture, media and sport committee, has called on ministers to “look again at how business rates for studios are calculated”.

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