although the article starts off with the now commercial-as-Glastonbury, the ethos is that letting people let their hair down is better than not
The peer called on the Chancellor to initiate a Treasury-sponsored study into the “true value” of the arts “economically, educationally [and] socially”.
Speaking in the House of Lords on Thursday, Baroness Buscombe said revellers at the Glastonbury music festival committed proportionately fewer crimes – despite “consuming most of the cider Somerset can produce”.
hopefully HMT will weigh up the costs of the status quo (no, not the geriatric rock stars, but how zero tolerance actually costs the public purse) [and thats not counting the unquantifiable costs of of damaged community relations which lead to further potential crime and public unrest!]
and then realise it makes sound economic sense to permit more music events instead of just shutting them down!
