Protect the ears of London’s night-time economy workers

For those working in London’s night-time economy, including in music venues, clubs, bars, and festivals, exposure to harmful sound levels must no longer be accepted as an inevitable part of the job.

The ‘Listen for Life’ campaign, backed by the World Hearing Forum (a World Health Organization initiative) and delivered in the UK by the Night Time Industries Association, offers a clear framework to support safe listening practices.

Today, the London Assembly supported the charter and called on the Mayor to publicly endorse the ‘Listen for Life’ campaign and charter, and to encourage night-time economy operators and workers across the capital to sign up and implement its principles.

Elly Baker AM, who proposed the motion, said:

“The ‘Listen for Life’ campaign has practical steps to reduce dangerous sound exposure in the night-time economy.

“By adopting safe listening measures across venues, events and workplaces in London, staff and visitors can be kept safe and the capital's iconic nightlife is welcoming to all."

Emma Best AM, who proposed the amended motion, said:

"Our night life is a key part of London's vibrant economy.

“With businesses struggling, we should not lose sight of the balance to be struck to ensure that doing the right thing is the right thing for everyone, not just some."

The full text of the motion is:

Unsafe recreational sound levels are a significant and preventable cause of hearing damage. According to the World Health Organisation, 1.1 billion people globally suffer from hearing loss or tinnitus, much of it linked to prolonged or unprotected exposure to unsafe sound levels in leisure, music, and nightlife settings.

Hearing loss is not a minor or isolated condition. It can have profound effects on daily life, including difficulties with communication, reduced social interaction, impacts on mental health, and limited engagement with culture and work. Crucially, there is growing evidence of a clear link between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Protecting hearing is not only a matter of occupational safety or cultural inclusion, but a key public health priority.

For those working in London’s night-time economy, including in music venues, clubs, bars, and festivals, exposure to harmful sound levels must no longer be accepted as an inevitable part of the job. There are now practical and cost-effective solutions available that can reduce these risks while maintaining a vibrant and inclusive nightlife.

The ‘Listen for Life’ campaign, backed by the World Hearing Forum (a World Health Organization initiative) and delivered in the UK by the Night Time Industries Association, offers a clear framework to support safe listening practices. Its charter outlines a series of commitments for businesses and organisations, including:

• Regular testing and monitoring of sound levels
• Hearing screening for staff
• Provision of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Training and awareness for staff on hearing health and safe sound exposure

This Assembly:

• Expresses its full support for the ‘Listen for Life’ campaign and encourages adoption of its charter across London’s night-time economy
• Encourages businesses in the sector to sign up to the charter and implement its commitments to protect both workers and patrons
• Acknowledges the leadership of the Night Time Industries Association in advancing this important initiative in partnership with the World Hearing Forum

This Assembly calls on:

1. The Mayor of London to publicly endorse the ‘Listen for Life’ campaign and charter, and to encourage night-time economy operators and workers across the capital to sign up and implement its principles
2. The Greater London Authority (GLA) to lead by example by adopting the charter’s commitments for all GLA-commissioned or supported events, and by promoting wider awareness of the importance of hearing health, including its connection to long-term health outcomes such as dementia.
3. Recognises that many night-time businesses are struggling in London, believes that there is a cost to placing any additional burden on businesses and therefore supports the ‘Listen for Life’ charter being introduced alongside a number of measures to reduce costs and burdens on London businesses.
4. Notes that over 3000 London night time venues have closed since 2020, that the Government’s Employers’ National Insurance increase has been particularly damaging for the hospitality sector and that the ONS has stated that the hospitality sector has lost 84,000 jobs nationwide since last year’s Budget.

The meeting can be viewed via webcast or YouTube.

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