Government inaction over the exemption of small, live music venues from overbearing licensing laws is putting the future of the live music scene in jeopardy, the head of the UK's music trade organisation has warned.

Government promises two weeks ago to exempt venues with 100-person capacity have stalled with no sign of the proposed consultation, said Feargal Sharkey, the former lead singer of the Undertones and now chief executive of UK Music.

"We have heard nothing more about this other than a brief statement in parliament, which seems devoid of any meaningful intent," he said. "It is very disappointing that the government is constantly and endlessly debating this and seems incapable of dealing with the situation in hand. It is increasing everyone's level of frustration and even anger."

The organisation has sent a letter, seen by the Guardian, to Gerry Sutcliffe, a licensing minister, asking if he has informed his cabinet colleagues about the decision or taken any steps to launch the 12-week consultation that has been mooted.

Musicians and campaigners are concerned there is not enough time before the next general election to change the act and criticised an apparent lack of political will to take the exemption forward. ...