A DCMS spokesman said the consultation, which will open at midnight on Friday, will suggest the reform of Schedule One activities such as the performance of live music and could supersede current moves to exempt small-scale gigs from the Act - something proposed by Lord Clement-Jones' Live Music Bill and supported by UK Music.

"This is about addressing the difficulties of the Licensing Act and how things like music are treated by it. It's big," said the spokesman.

UK Music ...