Applications open at 12:00 pm on Monday 26 October and whilst there is no deadline, a high volume of applications is expected and so the fund will remain open so long as there is budget available.

Awards for any sum from £500-£2000 can be requested and where there may be specific needs, then it may be possible to request more.

Our National Organiser for Scotland & Northern Ireland responded to the news:

“We are pleased to hear the announcement of the details for this critical fund and the broad scope of the criteria which will mean fewer creative freelancers falling through the gaps.

“We are sure this will come as a welcome relief to many who, until this point, have received very little and in many cases, nothing at all in terms of financial support.”

However, there were no measures to create parity with employees or close gaps in support that 38% musicians have fallen through in previous rounds of the SEISS. Detailed guidance is yet to be published.

We are also seeking clarification on if it’s 40% of income or trading profits, and will update members as soon as we know more.

The Government must invest in the people who make the music industry

Commenting on the changes, MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge said, “The UK’s music industry is a viable industry which the Government’s Covid-19 restrictions are keeping closed. They now have a responsibility to look after this industry, and the musicians and freelancers who make it the envy of the world.

“Increasing the SEISS from 20% to 40% is a sign that the Government is listening to the Musicians’ Union and others. But 40% is still not enough. Right now, 70% of our members are unable to undertake more than a quarter of their usual work and 36% have no work at all.

“Our members are creative, pioneering, entrepreneurial people who have invested a huge amount of time and money in honing their talent. They should be receiving an equal level of support as people on PAYE.

“Over a third of our members are actively considering leaving the industry, and 37% are not sure of their future in music. Without investment in the people who make the music industry great, we risk a mass exodus of talent and skills.”

Other changes to the Job Support Scheme

Also announced were changes to the Job Support Scheme (JSS). Employer contributions will be cut from 33% to 5% under the new JSS Open. The new version of the scheme also reduces minimum hours requirements to 20% to cover those working one day a week.

The JSS Closed – targeted at businesses legally required to close – and Job Retention Bonus both stay the same.

Additional business grants for the hospitality, accommodation and leisure sector in England were also announced.

More details on all of these are available via HM Treasury, with guidance expected shortly.

Take action now

Join our urgent call to the Government to do more, in order to safeguard the future of the UK’s music culture and industry – ask your MP to make your voice heard in Parliament.

You can use our template letter if you’re not sure what to say. Remember to include how you are affected too – personal stories make all the difference.

Write to your MP now.

Detailed information and guidance is still being developed and may change, including on business closures and support. It’s also unclear exactly what regulations and guidance will be in place when the firebreak comes to an end.

If you’re unsure about any of the restrictions we would recommend reviewing the advice on the Welsh Government’s website in the first instance, including the Coronavirus firebreak FAQs.

Key points on the firebreak

Some of the key points on the firebreak measures are:

• People must stay at home, except for very limited purposes, such as for exercise.
• People must work from home wherever possible.
• People must not visit other households or meet other people they do not live with either indoors and outdoors.
• No gatherings will be allowed outdoors.
• All non-food retail, hospitality businesses, close contact services and events and tourism businesses, such as hotels must close.
• Community centres, libraries and recycling centres will be required to close.
• Work carried out inside other people’s homes can only take place if it is urgent, or to repair a fault which poses a direct risk to peoples safety.
• Primary schools will remain open, except during the usual half term holidays.
• Secondary schools will re-open after half term for children in years seven and eight, and pupils will go in to take exams, but other pupils will continue their learning from home for an extra week.
• Colleges will move to online-only provision for the week following half term, while universities can continue to provide a combination of in-person teaching and blended learning.

How the firebreak might affect musicians

Some guidance in relation to members’ work:

• The firebreak may have implications for your work, contracts (including employment contracts), and earnings. Our general guidance on Cancelled Contracts and Income Loss is likely to apply, but please get in touch for more specific advice, including in relation to employment contracts, the various government support schemes, and potential redundancies.
• We think teaching can continue in schools provided that government guidance is followed. We also recommend reading our advice on teaching during the Coronavirus outbreak, including our guidance on teaching online.
• Face-to-face private teaching in teachers’ or pupils’ homes can’t take place under the firebreak restrictions on work inside other people’s homes, so should move online, at least for the duration of firebreak measures.
• Given the guidance on outdoor gatherings and meeting people from other households we would advise against busking and any other type of live performance with an audience during the firebreak lockdown.
• We would also advise against any community or amateur group rehearsals or meetings taking place during the firebreak, for the same reason.
• We are seeking clarity on how other work such as recordings and broadcast/streamed performances, as well as businesses such recording and rehearsal studios, will be affected by the firebreak restrictions.
• The Coronavirus Firebreak FAQs say that “anyone who is in Wales, whether resident or travelling here, is bound by these rules. However, travelling to a workplace in Wales is a reasonable excuse to leave home [if you cannot work from home and can work safely in your workplace]. Similarly, people living in Wales can travel to England for work purposes where this is necessary and they cannot work from home.”

We are seeking further clarity and lobbying for additional financial support for musicians and the broader creative industries in partnership with Wales TUC and the other creative unions.

Congratulations to our Deputy General Secretary @NaomiPohl on being part of @MusicWeek's Women in Music Roll of Honour! #BehindEveryMusician https://t.co/cZfGUWRmwb

Music Week’s Women in Music Roll of Honour celebrates the achievements of female executives across every sector of the industry. There are 24 names on this year’s list, drawn from all sectors of the music industry, which they published on Monday 19 Octoberwww.musicweek.com/media/read/meet-the-2020-music-week-women-in-music-roll-of-honour/081573.

Naomi was nominated for all her work at the MU – including the Fix Streaming campaign – but the main one covered in her nomination is the Safe Space scheme.

Safe Space exists to provide a safe space for all musicians to share instances of sexism, sexual harassment and sexual abuse in the music industry. Naomi speaks about it in her interview with Music Week, which will be in their print edition this week or next week. She explained how:

“My biggest sense of achievement has to be from leading the MU’s Safe Space service. The service was set up in the early days of the #metoo movement to get a sense of the prevalence of sexual harassment in the industry. I have personally handled hundreds of reports, mostly from women, and have tried to offer support, validation and advice wherever possible.”

She also spoke about the impact of Covid-19 on mental health, discussing how, “we’ve really only scratched the surface of the mental health and well-being crisis in music,” and her top advice for successes, including tips on how “the best negotiations conclude with both parties feeling they got something they wanted and this applies to many situations in life and work.”

Read all about it

Keep an eye out for the print edition of Music Week to read the full interview. You can also listen to Naomi discussing Safe Space on a podcast released this week with Polyphony Arts – which will be available on podbean soon.

The Fix Streaming campaign is a joint mission between the MU and Ivors Academy to keep music alive. Over 17,000 people have signed the petition calling for an urgent Government review, and decision makers are taking notice.

The episode of Reasons To Be Cheerful was released on Sunday 18 October, and also features Gray and Tasmin Little OBE. It’s available to stream for free on Apple, Google, Spotify and other major platforms.

It’s a win - but we’re not declaring victory just yet

Over the next few weeks you will have the opportunity to give evidence, share your experiences and show Government why the current streaming setup is unfair and unjust.

We’ll be sharing more on how to get involved, key questions to answer, tips on making your case as strong as possible, and ideas that we think will Fix Streaming and keep music alive.

Look out for more updates from us via our Twitter channel, Facebook page and our regular email updates.

All eligible applicants will now be able to receive funds of up to £5000, reaching 1,089 individuals in the arts and creative industries who applied to this fund in August.

Our National Organiser for Northern Ireland & Scotland, Caroline Sewell, responded to the news:

“This is very welcome news and will come as a relief for many musicians, artists and workers in the creative sector. We are pleased that the government have listened to the sector and have responded to the need for sector specific support which also recognises the urgency of the matter.

“We await further detail on the remaining £26m which has been allocated to the sector and look forward to continuing our discussions with the Department for Communities in the months ahead.”

Find out more about the fund on the NI Executive’s website.

Those who are yet to take the holiday are able to apply for a full six-month break. The period within which members can apply has also been extended until 31 March 2021.

Why the holiday has been extended

A three-month subscription holiday was initially offered back in May, in response to the widespread cancellation of work that hit musicians as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

At that time it was hoped that musicians would be in a position to return to some form of regular work by the end of 2020, but recent measures introduced to try to control rising infection rates, and an ongoing lack of financial support from the Government for musicians has led to an Executive Committee decision to offer a further three-month subscriptions holiday.

General Secretary, Horace Trubridge said:

“We are working hard to address the shortcomings of the government’s financial support for the sector during the coronavirus pandemic, and to encourage a safe and financially viable route back to work for musicians. In the meantime, we don’t want MU membership to become a further financial burden for our members who continue to suffer hardship.”

Members who have already successfully applied for the initial three-month holiday, simply need to apply again using the same process, and they will be given a further three-month holiday, or equivalent value refund if they have paid their subscription fees in-full up front.

Members who did not apply for the original three-month holiday will be given a full six-month break from payment of subscriptions upon application if they meet the scheme’s eligibility criteria.

As with the original offer, unlike a mortgage holiday, there is no obligation to repay the balance at a later date.

Read the full details, eligibility criteria, and submit your application on our subs holiday advice page.

Eligibility criteria

To receive a subscription holiday, you will need to meet the following conditions:

• You are a current MU member who has kept with up to date with your membership subscriptions.
• You are currently paying the full membership rate or joint NEU/UCU/EIS membership rate. Members who joined for £1 over six months ago and are therefore currently paying the full membership rate by direct debit will also be eligible.
• Members who joined for £1 under six months ago, members paying the student rate and retired members will not be eligible.
• Members who pay their subscription by Direct Debit but have cancelled their payment instruction will need to reinstate it before applying.

The subscription holiday is available for members who pay their fees annually, quarterly, or through a monthly direct debit. For more details on how this works, see our subs holiday advice page.

Creative Scotland have also announced their delivery partners for the distribution of the Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers. The partners are Crafts Council & Craft Scotland, Help Musicians, Society of Authors and Visual Arts Scotland – with Bectu also partnering subject to confirmation – to assist in the delivery of the Scottish Government’s £5million fund.

The campaign by the Ivors Academy and the MU has run alongside the grassroots artist-led #BrokenRecord campaign led by musician and songwriter Tom Gray.

.@CommonsDCMS is launching an investigation to find out if the economics of streaming work for YOU.

Thank you to the 17,000 of you who signed the @WeAreTheMU + @IvorsAcademy petition calling for a Government review.

It's time to #FixStreaming and #KeepMusicAlive! https://t.co/ETIoi5HVKL

— Musicians' Union (@WeAreTheMU) October 15, 2020

With streaming currently accounting for more than half of the global music industry’s revenue, the inquiry by the DCMS Select Committee will look at the business models operated by streaming platforms.

Music streaming in the UK brings in more than £1 billion in revenue with 114 billion music streams in the last year, however the returns to artists are unacceptably low, and can be as little as 15% of the income generated.

The announcement is extremely welcome

Naomi Pohl, MU Deputy General Secretary, said:

“It is extremely welcome that the DCMS Select Committee has announced an inquiry into the economics of music streaming at a time when musicians are making very little money from live performance due to Covid-19.

“The Musicians' Union and the Ivors Academy have been calling for a Government review because the current crisis has highlighted that the royalties generated by streaming are far too low and the market is failing the vast majority of our members.

“We hope this inquiry will show that a more equitable model is possible and that streaming royalties can and should play a significant role in sustaining the careers of creators and artists.”

Graham Davies, Chief Executive of the Ivors Academy, said:

“On behalf of all music creators we are delighted that Government will investigate the streaming market so it can work for all parts of the music industry.

“Most creators cannot make a living from streaming, it simply does not pay enough and millions of pounds each year is not properly allocated due to poor data. Following our campaigning with the Musicians’ Union, performers and creators to Fix Streaming this is an opportunity to create a transparent, fair and equitable approach.”

The inquiry will be held in November

The inquiry, expected to be held in November, will be calling on testimony from industry experts, artists and record labels as well as the streaming platforms.

The Committee will also consider whether the government should be taking action to protect the industry from piracy in the wake of steps taken by the EU on copyright and intellectual property rights.

DCMS Committee Chair Julian Knight MP said:

“While streaming is a growing and important part of the music industry contributing billions to global wealth, its success cannot come at the expense of talented and lesser-known artists.

“We’re asking whether the business models used by major streaming platforms are fair to the writers and performers who provide the material. Longer-term we’re looking at whether the economics of streaming could in future limit the range of artists and music that we’re all able to enjoy today.”

The DCMS Committee is inviting written submissions to be submitted by Friday 16 November.

It’s a win - but we’re not declaring victory just yet

Over the next few weeks you will have the opportunity to give evidence, share your experiences and show Government why the current streaming setup is unfair and unjust.

We’ll be sharing more on how to get involved, key questions to answer, tips on making your case as strong as possible, and ideas that we think will fix streaming and keep music alive.

Look out for more updates from us via our Twitter channel, Facebook page and our regular email updates.

If you’ve got any sort of access issue or disability that means you have difficulty completing the form contact Business Wales asap on 03000 6 03000 so you can get support.

Additional guidance documents are now live on Business Wales website, including an Easy Read version.

Key guidance on applying

We previously hosted a meeting for members with Gerwyn Evans from Welsh Government on the fund, some of takeaways included:

• You need to submit all the information required or your application may be rejected.
• The Fund provides for a fixed grant of £2,500 rather than funding directly linked to loss of earnings.
• It’s important to note that you need to provide proof of work between April 2019 and July 2020 AND/OR proof of work cancelled between April 2020 and March 2021. There are examples of what could be provided as proof of work or cancelled work in the guidance document, and we would advise members to provide evidence across their full portfolio of work (e.g. for teaching and performing work), and to provide a reference/referee in the absence of detailed evidence or as a backup option.
• You do not have to sign up to the Freelancer Pledge in order to receive funding.

We do recommend you read Business Wales detailed guidance and FAQs before applying.

Take action now

Join our urgent call to the Government to do more, in order to safeguard the future of the UK’s music culture and industry – ask your MP to make your voice heard in Parliament.

You can use our template letter if you’re not sure what to say. Remember to include how you are affected too – personal stories make all the difference.

Write to your MP now.

In fact, as research by the ABO has revealed, over 30% have been ineligible for the lauded Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS). This is due to a variety of factors including being either new to the profession, receiving a majority of earnings through PAYE (a common problem for those working in music education) or as a result of being paid via a personal services company.

More than a thousand freelance orchestral musicians have had no earnings since the shutdown of concerts in mid-March 2020. Frighteningly, with restrictions such as social distancing likely to continue until at least the end of March 2021, these world-class musicians face a year of zero income.

The ABO’s findings mirrored by the MU

The ABO’s findings are mirrored by a recent survey undertaken by the MU in September, which reports that a third (34%) of musicians are considering abandoning the industry completely, directly due to financial hardship caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The research shows nearly half (47%) of its members have already been forced to seek work outside of the industry, with seven in 10 (70%) unable to undertake more than a quarter of their usual work. With furlough schemes coming to an end, 87% of musicians who were covered by the schemes say they will be facing financial hardship. As a result, nine in 10 (88%) believe the Government has not done enough to support musicians during the pandemic.

The ABO and the MU therefore are adding their voices to the campaign for the Government to implement additional targeted support for those self-employed musicians and other creative freelancers who, through no fault of their own, are unable to trade due to the continuing Covid-19 restrictions.

We need the Chancellor to expand SEISS

Horace Trubridge, MU General Secretary, said:

“We have been working with the Government to try to ensure that all musicians are able to get back to work safely as soon as possible. But as things stand 70% are currently unable to do more than a quarter of their usual work.

“In the meantime, we desperately need the Chancellor to expand the SEISS to cover more than 20% of monthly profits and plug the gaps that mean that 38% of musicians are ineligible for the wage support schemes. We also urge the Treasury and the DCMS to allow Arts Council England to distribute some of the £1.57 billion dedicated to culture to individual freelancers, as the devolved administrations have done in Wales and Scotland.”

SEISS is simply not enough to live on

Mark Pemberton, ABO Director, said:

“Those musicians who have been able to benefit from SEISS will see the third tranche of support fall to 20% of average profits for the period November 2020 to March 2021. This is simply not enough for the working musician to live on. And the word ‘working’ is moot.

The purpose of the SEISS is to support “self-employed individuals who are actively continuing to trade, but are facing reduced demand due to coronavirus”. But due to government-imposed restrictions, musicians are prevented from trading, simply because concert halls across the country remain closed. This is particularly acute in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where venues remain forbidden from opening their doors to the public.”

The Culture Recovery Fund is not providing paid work

When challenged on these matters by parliamentarians and the classical music industry, the Government’s response has been to point towards its £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund. But this is misleading.

This Fund is designed to prevent organisations from going bust before the end of the financial year. It will not enable those orchestras that receive funding from the Fund to engage their musicians for paid work or support freelance musicians prevented from working by Covid-19 restrictions.

These are musicians in whom the Government has invested through its support of music education, via both primary school and music services, through to our world-leading specialist schools and conservatoires. They are highly skilled and often educated to Masters level.

The implication that their profession is no longer “viable” and they should retrain for lower skilled occupations, fails to recognise its contribution to culture, the UK economy and tourism, let alone the sheer joy and inspiration the musicians’ work provides to millions.

Returning to the same level of work is currently not viable

Jo Laverty, MU National Organiser, Orchestras, said:

“We have been working flat out with orchestra managers across the UK to negotiate variations to union agreements and to vet COVID-19 risk assessments to ensure our musicians can get back to work as quickly and safely as possible.

“However, it is clear that it is not viable – from both a safety or financial perspective – for orchestras to be undertaking the number of performances or engaging the numbers of musicians required to deliver usual levels of work whilst reduced, distanced audiences remain in place and many venues remain closed.

“They are also unable to deliver the usual levels of crucial work in care settings and schools that is so needed right now. Two thirds of the MU’s Orchestra Section membership are freelancers who underpin the sector; many of our UK orchestras only engage the members of their orchestra on a freelance basis. These individuals cannot be forgotten or ignored by our government’s rescue package.”

Take action now

Join our urgent call to the Government to do more, in order to safeguard the future of the UK’s music culture and industry – ask your MP to make your voice heard in Parliament.

You can use our template letter if you’re not sure what to say. Remember to include how you are affected too – personal stories make all the difference.

Write to your MP now.

• Current household restrictions on meeting indoors and limit in garden, exceptions for childcare etc. are to be maintained
• Bubbling is limited to ten people from two households
• No overnight stays in a private home unless in a bubble
• People should work from home unless unable to do so
• Guidance will advise universities and colleges to encourage distance learning where possible with only essential face to face learning taking place where the subject demands
• Closure of hospitality sector apart from deliveries and takeaway and this will close at 11:00 pm
• Other takeaway premises will be brought into line with hospitality and will also close at 11:00 pm
• Retail is to remain open however there will be urgent engagement with the sector to ensure everything being done to suppress the virus
• There will be no indoor sport of any kind, or organised contact sport involving household mixing
• No mass events involving more than 15 people except for allowed outdoor sporting events
• Gyms may remain open for individual training only with local enforcements in place
• Places of worship will remain open with the mandatory requirement to wear face coverings where entering and exiting – this not apply to parties to marriage or civil partnership
• Wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships are limited to 25 people with no receptions and this will be implemented on Monday 19 October
• Off licenses and supermarkets not permitted to sell alcohol after 8:00 pm
• As regards Education, the half term holiday break will be extended from 19-30 October with schools re-opening on Monday 2 November.

See the NI Direct website for further information on the current Covid-19 restrictions in Northern Ireland.

Take action now

Live Music continues to be effectively banned by the Executive, you can read more about it in the open letter that the MU wrote and published in response.

Members in Northern Ireland are encouraged to join us by writing to their MLAs in support of the music industry and the musicians who make it.

We’ve created a template letter you can use to write to your MLAs. Remember to include how you are affected by the coronavirus pandemic – personal stories make all the difference.

Take action now.

The MU has worked closely with its European Trade Union colleagues, the EU Commission, the UK trade organisations the ABO and MIA, and UK Government departments DEFRA and Animal Plant Health Authority APHA to minimise the effects of these checks on musicians. However, with the end of the Transition period approaching things are changing.

DEFRA have stated:

“Anyone wishing to bring a specimen of a protected species of animal or plant into GB or export from GB to the EU or NI will require a CITES document. Such documents must be applied for in advance of travel and inspected and endorsed (stamped) by Border Force at one of the 29 CITES points of entry and exit.”

You can also read the Government's specific information on how CITES applies to musical instruments, and find the APHA's contact details on their website.

For now, MICs are free to get, however it is not known how long this will continue.

Please note that currently only the designated ports of entry are where Border Force will verify your MIC. We understand that this list will be expanded to cover more domestic ports and a wider spread across the UK, however we have no information as to when that will be.

Just over £257 million of the £1.57 Billion has been spent to support the arts in England. Music received the highest share with 394 organisations funded meaning a 29% share equalling nearly £69 million.

Our National Organiser Live Performance, Dave Webster, responded to the news:

“Whilst the support to ensure that these myriad English arts organisations can stay afloat is welcomed, we still need them to be able to open their doors and get musicians working again. The money only goes so far – it's the business of entertainment that a needs a long term solution.

“That long term solution comes when audiences are confident enough to come back to enjoying music performed live.

“We wait to see how the devolved nations will distribute their tranche of money and look forward to the next distribution announcement. For now, we hope that our world-renowned cultural infrastructure can keep its head above the Covid water.”

Take action now

Join our urgent call to the Government to do more, in order to safeguard the future of the UK’s music culture and industry – ask your MP to make your voice heard in Parliament.

You can use our template letter if you’re not sure what to say. Remember to include how you are affected too – personal stories make all the difference.

Write to your MP now.

These changes come as part of the additional national and local measures in place for Scotland from 10 October to 25 October, which were announced by the First Minister.

The rules for the rest of Scotland remain that restrictions such as the ‘rule of six’ do not apply where there is other sector specific guidance in force. This means that non-professional musicians in Scotland can play together in groups both indoors and outdoors. However this must be done in line with the Scottish Government’s legislation and their guidance on staying safe.

Further advice

See our FAQ page for further advice on how the varying Covid-19 restrictions affect musicians. We’re updating them as often as we can however, the advice from the Government is changing quickly – keep an eye on our Twitter channel for our latest updates.

Gorée Island – Gary Crosby’s Nu Troop (1997)

Gary Crosby OBE is a founding member of the Jazz Warriors and Tomorrows Warriors, based in London. These two bands have helped to nurture some of the UK’s best and well-respected jazz musicians, including Binker Golding, Theon Cross and Sheila Maurice-Grey to name a few.

This tune is named after a small island by the same name, situated off the coast of Senegal in West Africa. It is famous for being the largest centre of slave trading activity during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade in the 15th-19th centuries.

Saxophonist Tony Kofi takes the lead on this, with a harmonically rich solo and melodic embellishments which seems to evoke the horrific nature of what happened on that island all those years ago.

This tune can be used to teach KS3 students about:

• Various elements of jazz
• How to evoke ideas, history and stories through a tune
• How musicians connect with their cultural histories

Cleopatra’s Theme – Cleopatra (1998)

‘They’re from England?!’ That was the question on the lips of many of us back in ’98 when we first saw this music video. Back then, seeing a young, black British female pop group, dancing, singing and wearing their braids with pride was the first time we had seen anything like it.

Mum doing a little girl's hair was a weekly occurrence in many households, but on screen, remained the preserve of US shows such as Moesha or Sister Sister. Even the cartoon characters in the video reminded us of the Jackson 5’s I Want You Back and Fat Albert.

This song is great for all ages to:

• Dance and sing to
• Learn about elements of a pop song

Black and Ready – Jords (2020)

“I’d go back to where I came from if I knew where that was”

Jords wrote this song on 3 June 2020 to express his frustration and anger at not only the death of George Floyd, but his own personal experiences with the police and racism.

With a ‘Black Lives Matter’ chant underpinning much of this song, Jords’ easy-going flow is juxtaposed against hard hitting lyrics which many people in the Black community can immediately identify with.

Look out for artwork inspired by this tune in Clapham High Street and Shepards Bush market. Black and Ready was released as a single, but he's just released a new album called Almost An Adult (2020).

This tune song is great for KS3 students and older to:

• Discuss the lyrics and themes contained in this song
• The origins of sampling, and how it can be used
• How to write about personal experiences through song

Say Yes - Live At The House Of Blues, New Orleans – Floetry (2003)

The Songstress (Marsha Ambrosius) and The Floacist (Natalie Stewart) released their first album in 2002, with Say Yes being the second single from that album.

Since going their separate ways in 2006, Ambrosius has collaborated with the likes of Michael Jackson, Alicia Keys, Robert Glasper and Jill Scott, while The Floacist has released three solo albums and collaborated with Lalah Hathaway, Raheem DeVaughn and Musiq Soulchild. Speaking of Robert Glasper, watch The Robert Glasper Experiment's take on Say Yes, live at the iTunes festival from a few years ago.

Ambrosius had to move abroad to find further commercial success, and one can only wonder how many young and talented Black artists don't get the recognition they deserve in this country.

KS3 students and older can:

• Compare the album, and other live versions with each other
• Understand elements of the neo-soul genre
• Understand ways to shape live performances

Lupita – NSG (2020)

NSG (Never Stop Growing) are an East London group whose music includes elements of reggae, grime and afrobeat. The artwork of their 2020 mixtape Roots, symbolises how they see themselves – British, but rooted in specifically Ghanian and Nigerian traditions and culture.

The title of the tune refers to Lupita Nyong’o, the multi award-winning actor from Black Panther and 12 Years A Slave, a representation of many dark-skinned Black women who have been routinely discriminated against due to colourism.

This tune is great for KS3 students to:

• Learn about some elements of afrobeat and modern music with West African roots
• Think about the differences between speech, rapping, melodious speech and singing

Deep River – Sheku Kanneh-Mason (2018)

World renowned cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, plays his arrangement of the composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s arrangement (how meta!) of the traditional song Deep River. The African American spiritual itself was first written about in 1876, and Coleridge-Taylor potentially heard it on his first visit to the US in 1904 as a 29 year old.

This version is particularly special considering it was recorded by Sheku and his older siblings Isata on piano, and brother Braimah on violin. To glean some insight into Sheku and his family, check out this BBC documentary (it's only available for 3 months).

Appropriate for all ages, it's a great alternative to learn about:

• Dynamics, tempo and playing as an ensemble
• Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's life and music
• An opportunity to discover other Black classical composers

Old School Medley – Volney Morgan & New-Ye (2017)

In many churches up and down the country (pre-Covid), singing medleys of commonly known gospel songs is commonplace.

With songs like Holy Ghost Power and We Shall Have A Grand Time, Morgan & New-Ye not only give a nod towards other popular medleys (e.g. Donnie McClurkin’s Caribbean Medley), but combine elements of shout music, and reggae to produce an upbeat, rhythmically and harmonically rich arrangement. Have a listen to Tye Tribbett's Still Have Joy - Live (2006) for another reference point.

Children and young people of all ages can listen and learn about:

• Elements of modern gospel music
• Vocal harmonies

BAME Members Network

This blog was commissioned as a direct outcome of our last BAME Members Network meeting, chaired by Chardine Taylor Stone.

BAME members are invited to join our BAME Members Network for regular opportunities to get involved, have your say on what we do, contribute to consultation responses, and help make policy that reflects the truth.

Areas on high alert level will face extra restrictions. This will include no mixing between different households indoors, and the rule of six continuing outdoors.

Areas on very high level alert will be those where transmission is rising the most rapidly. They will face additional restrictions:

• Pubs and bars will be closed, except where they serve substantial meals.
• Households cannot mix indoors or outdoors.
• Gyms, leisure centres and casinos will close.

The new restrictions will come into force on Wednesday 14 October.

They are being debated in parliament today. Thus far it seems that even in the very high alert level areas, weddings, funerals and COVID secure workplaces (where work cannot be undertaken at home) will be allowed, but we are waiting for further guidance.

The Chancellor has also announced additional wage support schemes in the most restricted areas, and we are lobbying hard for him to extend this help to the self-employed.

Hi @RishiSunak. Today you said the Job Support Scheme applies to everyone “whatever job they do”. Does that mean you’re increasing SEISS so that self employed people get an equal level of support, & closing gaps that 38% musicians and 3m #ExcludedUK fall through? #covidbriefing

— Musicians' Union (@WeAreTheMU) October 12, 2020

Take action now

Join our urgent call to the Government to do more, in order to safeguard the future of the UK’s music culture and industry – ask your MP to make your voice heard in Parliament.

You can use our template letter if you’re not sure what to say. Remember to include how you are affected too – personal stories make all the difference.

Write to your MP now.

The MU supports the broad principles of the letter which has been signed by many individual performers and representatives of industry organisations such as Help Musicians.

We are also in support of the One Voice campaign, which calls for a Eat Out to Help Out style scheme for the live performance sector.

Our current key lobbying asks include:

• Ensuring that the new Self Employment Income Support Scheme is applicable to musicians
• Plugging the gaps in the Self Employment Income Support Scheme
• Expanding the SEISS to cover more than 20% of monthly profits
• Measures to make sure re-opening venues is economically viable

We share the objective to get musicians back to work

Horace Trubridge, MU General Secretary, said:

“Many musicians have formed or joined online campaigning groups during the Covid-19 crisis in order to amplify the message that they need more support from the Government, and we are pleased to support these grassroots movements. We all share the objective to get musicians back to work safely as soon as possible and have them supported properly by the Government in the meantime.

“As things stand, 70% of MU members are currently unable to do more than a quarter of their usual work. In the meantime, we desperately need the Chancellor to expand the SEISS to cover more than 20% of monthly profits and plug the gaps that mean that 38% of musicians are ineligible for the wage support schemes.

"We are also urging the Treasury and the DCMS to allow Arts Council England to distribute some of the £1.57 billion dedicated to culture to individual freelancers – as the devolved administrations have done in Wales and Scotland.”

The Union continues its work to ensure musicians receive the support they need. Read our latest lobbying update. MU members can also keep up with the lobbying work we're doing through UK Music.

The new licensing rules would also outlaw busking by any non-UK resident , as well as requiring buskers to provide the council with two forms of identification and a declaration of unspent convictions. We find this approach unnecessary and invasive.

Buskers cannot afford to have their livelihoods taken away from them at a time when the arts are going through their biggest crisis in living memory and where busking is one of the only ways a musician is able to earn money.

The MU, Equity, Keep Streets Live, the Westminster Street Performers Association, the Covent Garden Street Performers Association and the Busking Project have released a joint statement regrading the new proposal.

Our joint statement

We stand firmly against the proposals to criminalise unlicensed busking in the Westminster area, including Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Oxford Street and Trafalgar Square.

We have attempted to engage with the council throughout the process and suggested proven, viable alternatives. It will have a devastating impact on the livelihoods of street entertainers in the area and their families if the proposed licensing scheme is introduced.

When people think of Covent Garden, they immediately think of the world-class levels of entertainment that are on offer in the form of street performers. When people think of the West End, they think of the amazing artistic and cultural scene that exists here. But these restrictions will make the West End essentially a “no-go zone” for buskers.

Anti-social busking benefits nobody, and we are not suggesting a free-for-all. But current legislation can easily be used against buskers causing a genuine nuisance. There are laws in place against amplification being used late at night, for example. The council claim a lack of resources and yet are setting aside over £200,000 over the next three years to implement a licence scheme that could be better spent on implementing the laws they’re currently ignoring.

During the worst crisis for the arts in living memory, we call on Westminster Council to scrap their plans for licensing and work with street performers to create a system that works for everyone.

Signed by:

The Musicians’ Union
Equity
Keep Streets Live
Covent Garden Street Performers Association
Westminster Street Performer Association
The Busking Project

Responding to the consultation

The consultation responses will inform next steps and any changes to future policy. We encourage members to have their say by responding to the consultation on Westminster City Council’s website before 1 November 2020.

If you're not sure what to include in your response, you're welcome to copy or rewrite our main concerns:

• Removing the majority of amplified busking spots means most musicians will be unable to perform in those areas.
• The council claim a lack of resources but are looking to spend £200,000 on introducing this scheme when current legislation can easily be used against buskers causing a genuine nuisance.
• Busking is legal on public land and the council already have laws in place to apprehend buskers who are not adhering to the Busk In London code. Extra licensing conditions are unnecessarily restrictive and will be to the detriment of buskers.

If you are a busker in Westminster and have any concerns or questions, please contact your Regional Office. You can also contact the Westminster Street Performers' Association through their website.

The first of these asks is that the Government works towards getting all musicians back to work safely as soon as possible. 70% are currently unable to do more than a quarter of their usual work – directly due to Government restrictions.

The second ask is that, in the meantime – since musicians can’t work because of Government rules, expand the SEISS to cover more than 20% of monthly profits and plug the gaps that mean that 38% of musicians are ineligible for the schemes.

And the third ask is that for England, the Government follows the lead of the devolved governments in Wales and Scotland, who have chosen to use some of the money allocated to them from the £1.57 billion cultural fund to support freelancers through a freelancer fund that individuals can apply to.

Arts Council England has been told by the Government that they are not allowed to pay out money to individuals and we would like to see this situation remedied asap. We are also aware that there has been huge demand for the fund in Wales and that there is not enough money to go round. We would like to assure members that we are talking to MPs and MSs about whether more money can be found for this fund.

Proud to speak up for freelance #musicians this afternoon in @HouseofCommons with @KevinBrennanMP and raise #LetMusicLive protest - we hear you.

You are viable.

You matter. To our soul and our economy and so much more.

You deserve better from @GOVUK https://t.co/P0nrpHNWqD

— Stephen Doughty MP (@SDoughtyMP) October 6, 2020

Protest in Parliament Square

On the same day as the parliamentary debate, 400 musicians gathered on Parliament Square, London. Jessie Murphy and other members and musicians organised the protest under the umbrella of Let Music Live, with support from the MU – to shine a light on the need for targeted support for freelance musicians.

They performed a short extract from Holst’s Mars, before standing in silence for two minutes – representing the maximum 20% support that freelancers can receive from the Government through the newest version of the SEISS grant. The protest received wide-spread coverage across the media.

We are proud that so many of our members took action #LetMusicLive today. This event was organised by @letmusicliveuk and supported by the Musicians’ Union and We Make Events. Jessie Murphy and others did a huge amount of work to put this together - organising in action ⬇️ https://t.co/fPtNSoClIl

— Musicians' Union (@WeAreTheMU) October 6, 2020

Our members’ jobs are viable jobs

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak also chose the same day to make some ill-advised comments about musicians retraining to do other, more viable jobs. He has since retracted these words but they understandably caused a great deal of anger.

Horace’s response was:

“The Chancellor’s comments this morning suggesting that musicians should retrain are very disappointing. We know that our members’ jobs are entirely viable jobs – the only reason they are currently unable to work is because of the Government’s Coronavirus restrictions.

“We have been working with the Government to try to ensure that all musicians are able to get back to work safely as soon as possible. But as things stand 70% are currently unable to do more than a quarter of their usual work. In the meantime, we desperately need the Chancellor to expand the SEISS to cover more than 20% of monthly profits and plug the gaps that mean that 38% of musicians are ineligible for the wage support schemes.

“We also urge the Treasury and the DCMS to allow Arts Council England to distribute some of the £1.57 billion dedicated to culture to individual freelancers – as the devolved administrations have done in Wales and Scotland.”

Take action now

Join our urgent call to the Government to do more, in order to safeguard the future of the UK’s music culture and industry – ask your MP to make your voice heard in Parliament.

You can use our template letter if you’re not sure what to say. Remember to include how you are affected too – personal stories make all the difference.

Write to your MP now.

He began by explaining how the Government’s current income support schemes are simply not doing enough to protect musicians and the risk of a talent drain being created – reminding the committee that 34% of our members told us they were having to consider leaving the profession in a recent survey.

He also highlighted the injustice of Arts Council England (ACE) told by the Government that they are not allowed to make £1.57bn cultural fund available to freelancers, stating:

“What’s missing here is an understanding of the ecology of how musicians and creatives work. Of course it’s important that creatives create and that funds are available from Arts Council for new creative projects. But you also need world class musicians to deliver creative projects and those are the people who are being left out of the equation and will leave the industry.”

People will always want live music

Horace explained how the Culture Recovery Fund is mainly aimed at keeping institutions going while closed, and how this would not act to protect the countries music industry:

“It’s not providing work, and that’s what we really need. We need a stimulus scheme that will enable our workforce to get back to work, or they will leave…If you want to mount Glastonbury next year, where are you going to find those sound engineers and lighting technicians if they all migrate to other industries where it’s more secure?”

“To start with, the venues can’t operate… it’s not just theatre or musical theatre that can’t operate on 30%. Music venues can’t either and that’s why we’re backing the One Voice campaign… It would enable the workforce to work.”

“People want live music. They will always want live music… Music has to be experienced live. Everybody knows that, there’s no secret there. It’s not like we’re going to have work hard to get audiences back because they are desperate to see it.”

“This is a viable industry which the Government is preventing from working. And as such, I think the Government has a responsibility to look after this industry, and the people who made this industry great, the envy of the world.”

The beauty and appeal of live music will never diminish

Horace then went on to point out how the Government’s different support schemes are failing musicians, and how MU members want to return to work – but they need support to be able to do so:

“[MU] members don’t want to have to go cap in hand to the Government. They want to work, they want to perform, they want to earn money again that way.

“So maybe the seat stimulus plan is one that can enable them to work. But they need some kind of support otherwise they will leave the industry.”

“I don’t think the beauty and appeal of live music will ever diminish in the public’s minds. People will spend more money on one ticket to go see a particular live music event then they’d pay for the whole catalogue of recordings for that particular artist because they know full well they are likely to have the experience of lifetime.

“That goes for musical theatre, rock bands or any kind of musical performance. The key thing is will we have the workforce to deliver on it”

Take action now

Join our urgent call to the Government to do more, in order to safeguard the future of the UK’s music culture and industry – ask your MP to make your voice heard in Parliament.

You can use our template letter if you’re not sure what to say. Remember to include how you are affected too – personal stories make all the difference.

Write to your MP now.

The measures which apply to hospitality venues for 16 days from Friday at 6:00 pm to Sunday 25 October include pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes only being permitted to open indoors from 6:00 am- 6:00 pm for food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Hotel restaurants are able to operate after 6:00 pm for residents only and without alcohol (they not closing completely due to benefits for reducing isolation). The maximum number of six people from two households rule which is currently in place will still apply.

With exception of five Central Belt areas, bars, restaurants pubs and cafes can continue to serve alcohol outdoors up to 10:00 pm and subject to six-two rule. There is an exemption to these rules for weddings and funerals where current rules continue to apply.

Some areas will have more stringent restrictions

Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley will all be under a heavier local lockdown.

There will be more stringent restrictions in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley where all licenced premises except hotels for residents will be required to close indoors and outdoors. Takeaways will be permitted and cafes with no alcohol licence will be permitted to stay open to 6:00 pm to prevent social isolation.

We are seeking clarification on how this affects the current rules for weddings and funerals in these areas.

In addition, outdoor live events not permitted in these five regions for the next two weeks.

Take action now

Join our urgent call to the Government to do more, in order to safeguard the future of the UK’s music culture and industry – ask your MP to make your voice heard in Parliament.

You can use our template letter if you’re not sure what to say. Remember to include how you are affected too – personal stories make all the difference.

Write to your MP now.

Funded by Innovate UK, and working in partnership with the MU and NYMAZ, UCan Play have produced a range of training materials to help musicians build their digital skills in key areas such as rehearsal, performance and teaching online. All the resources are freely available on their website.

Experienced mentors have also been recruited and are available to support musicians in the development of their digital skills. All mentoring is free of charge to those in the UK, you can find out more on the INTERFACE:RESPONSE website.

INTERFACE:RESPONSE runs from 1 October until 31 December 2020. For further information please contact Josh Savage the Project Manager at josh@ucanplay.org.uk.

Please note that these webinars are open to members living and working in Scotland, only.

The following classes are currently planned, and interested members are encouraged to book their places in advance:

• Beginners Guide to Online Music Teaching for those who have had very little technology experience, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm on Wednesday 28 October
• An Introduction to MS Teams for those who have never used Teams before, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm on Tuesday 3 November
• An Introduction to G Suite for those who have never used google G Suite before, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm on Thursday 5 November
• An Introduction to Zoom for those who have never used Zoom before, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm on Tuesday 10 November
• An Introduction to Vscene for those who have never used Vscene before, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm on Wednesday 11 November
• An Introduction to GLOW for those who have never used GLOW before, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm on Thursday 12 November
• How to make a Video (Session 1), 3:00 – 5:00pm on Tuesday 17 November
• Virtual Group Music Teaching (Session 1), 3:00 – 5:00pm on Wednesday 18 November
• Music Making Online featuring ideas, strategies and technology to help reach pupils with additional needs, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm on Thursday 19 November
• How to make a Video (Session 2) following on from Session 1 on 17 October, 3:00 pm – 5.00 pm on Tuesday 24 November
• Virtual Group Music Teaching (Session 2) a follow on from the session on 18 October, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm on Wednesday 25 November
• Music Making Online (Session 2) discussing ideas, strategies and technology to help reach pupils with additional needs - this will follow on from Session 1 on the 19 November, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm on Thursday 26 November
• Creative and Advanced use of MS Teams, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm on Tuesday 1 December
• How to create a SWAY embedding resources including video, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm on Wednesday 2 December
• Creative and Advanced use of G Suite, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm on Thursday 3 December
• Creative and Advanced use of Zoom, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm on Tuesday 8 December
• Creative and Advanced use of Vscene, 3:00 – 5:00pm on Thursday 10 December

Read our advice for music teaching during the pandemic, including online teaching basics including safeguarding, and health and safety advice for face-to-face work.

Our General Secretary Horace Trubridge highlights how musicians’ jobs remain entirely viable, and must be supported:

“The Chancellor’s comments this morning suggesting that musicians should retrain are very disappointing. We know that our members’ jobs are entirely viable jobs – the only reason they are currently unable to work is because of the Government’s Coronavirus restrictions.

“We have been working with the Government to try to ensure that all musicians are able to get back to work safely as soon as possible. But as things stand 70% are currently unable to do more than a quarter of their usual work. In the meantime, we desperately need the Chancellor to expand the SEISS to cover more than 20% of monthly profits and plug the gaps that mean that 38% of musicians are ineligible for the wage support schemes.

“We also urge the Treasury and the DCMS to allow Arts Council England to distribute some of the £1.57 billion dedicated to culture to individual freelancers – as the devolved administrations have done in Wales and Scotland.”

Action in Parliament Square

The Chancellor’s statement occurred whilst 400 socially distanced musicians were gathering in Parliament Square, to call on the Government to let music live.

#LetMusicLive

20% trading profits is not good enough. Government must act to protect music and the musicians who make it.

Take action now ➡️ https://t.co/HFQmYXADUa pic.twitter.com/Ocq38zuYbl

— Musicians' Union (@WeAreTheMU) October 6, 2020

Take action now

Join our urgent call to the Government to do more, in order to safeguard the future of the UK’s music culture and industry – ask your MP to make your voice heard in Parliament.

You can use our template letter if you’re not sure what to say. Remember to include how you are affected too – personal stories make all the difference.

Write to your MP now.

The Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme is a partnership between Help Musicians, the Musicians’ Union and Musicians’ Hearing Services, offering hearing check ups, expert advice from an audiologist and a set of ACS PRO Series Custom Earplugs custom moulded to fit you for just £40 (£30 for MU members).

The scheme has adopted various measures according to government guidelines to help minimise risks of transmission of Covid-19, to help ensure your safety at your hearing appointment. Find out more about how these safety measures will work.

For more information and to register for the scheme, visit the Hearing Health Scheme’s website.

The event will be Covid-19 safe and adhere strictly to social distancing regulations.

Our General Secretary, Horace Trubridge, commented:

“We appreciate all the Government has done to support our members through the furlough and self-employment income support schemes so far, but they must not abandon musicians now…We strongly urge the Government to recognise the unique situation that our members are in, and to provide sector specific financial support for musicians.”

We will be reporting on the event as it happens via our Twitter channel. Later the same day, Horace will be speaking to the Lords Economic Affairs Committee, which you can watch live on Parliament TV online from 4:00 pm.

Take action now

Join our urgent call to the Government to do more, in order to safeguard the future of the UK’s music culture and industry – ask your MP to make your voice heard in Parliament.

You can use our template letter if you’re not sure what to say. Remember to include how you are affected too – personal stories make all the difference.

Write to your MP now.

We would strongly recommend reading the guidance and FAQ’s before submitting an application and applying as soon as possible when the Fund opens at 10:00 am on Monday 5 October, especially if you’ve received zero or minimal support from the UK Government Covid-19 schemes to date.

Key guidance on applying

We hosted a meeting for members with Gerwyn Evans from Welsh Government on the fund, and here are some of the key points from that meeting (although please read the guidance document and FAQ’s as well):

• If you have any accessibility issues that might prevent you from completing an online application form and/or if you need it in a different format then call the Business Wales helpline on 03000 6 03000.
• You need to submit all the information required or your application may be rejected.
• The Fund provides for a fixed grant of £2,500 rather than funding directly linked to loss of earnings.
• It’s important to note that you need to provide proof of work between April 2019 and July 2020 AND/OR proof of work cancelled between April 2020 and March 2021. There are examples of what could be provided as proof of work or cancelled work in the guidance document, and we would advise members to provide evidence across their full portfolio of work (e.g. for teaching and performing work), and to provide a reference/referee in the absence of detailed evidence or as a backup option.
• You do not have to sign up to the Freelancer Pledge in order to receive funding.

Take action now

Join our urgent call to the Government to do more, in order to safeguard the future of the UK’s music culture and industry – ask your MP to make your voice heard in Parliament.

You can use our template letter if you’re not sure what to say. Remember to include how you are affected too – personal stories make all the difference.

Write to your MP now.

MU members can claim 10% off their first recording studio booking, quoting the discount code that you can find on our discounts page. There’s no limit on the amount of time you can book on your first discounted booking.

Visit our members’ discount page.

We Are Unlimited explained how the document could be useful in their press release:

“Access can be a tricky subject, and sometimes it’s awkward trying to let people know your needs in a working relationship.

“With an access rider it’s an easy way to communicate your needs with fellow artists, organisations, or employers. From this event, we’ve created a new resource. It’s designed to answer some of the questions you may have about what an access rider is and how to make one.

“In the document, you will find some prompts and an example of one type of access doc, to get you thinking about how to structure your own.”

You can download the document from We Are Unlimited’s website.

Our contact at Tamizdat, Director Matthew Covey has informed the MU that The US District Judge of the Northern District of California, the Honorable Jeffrey White, has stayed the US Citizenship and Immigration Service’s fee increase through a preliminary injunction.

Whilst there are likely to be further developments on this matter, the fee increase due on 1 October will not happen.

Dave Webster, MU Live Performance Organiser and Chair of the Music Industry Visa Task Force responded to the move:

“This is very welcome news – a rare thing these days, let’s hope these increases never come to fruition.”

Visit the Live Performance section of our website for further advice on touring.

Since we have issues around race and identity which are specific to Britain, it makes sense this month, to focus on the music made on these shores by those who have first-hand experience of what it is like to be Black, and what it is like to be British.

The meeting of these identities has produced an array of music which highlights, reflects, and celebrates life through the eyes of these Black British musicians. Playlists like this aren't fully comprehensive or absolute – they are points of reference, sources of discovery, and even reminders of the talent which is all around us.

We're stepping up this year to bring you a song a day for the whole Black History Month. Enjoy, discover and share your thoughts and ideas with others, and let this music help to bridge the difficulties that have challenged us in unprecedented ways in 2020.

50/50 – Lemar (2003)

Lemar became a national star after he placed third in the reality show Fame Academy in 2002. 50/50 was the second single from his first album Dedicated, which sampled Marcus Miller’s Much Too Much, from Miller’s first album Suddenly.

Interestingly enough, the tempo and drum loop more closely resemble Can’t Knock The Hustle by Jay-Z than Millers original, which was the third single from J’s first album Reasonable Doubt. Lemar has sold over 2 million albums worldwide to date, and won 3 MOBO awards in 2005 and 2006.

This is a great song for secondary school age children to:

• Learn about the structure of a pop song
• Compare and contrast Marcus Miller's original and Jay-Z's versions

The People Could Fly – Camilla George (2018)

Over the past few years, George has established herself as a leading figure in London’s Jazz scene, with two albums to her name and regular appearances with Jazz Jamaica, alongside musicains such as Gary Crosby, Denys Baptiste and Rod Youngs.

This track features a guitar solo by Shirley Tettah, another key figure in the recent wave of young black female musicians to emerge on the scene, and Femi Koleoso, founder of the Ezra Collective and longtime drummer for Jorja Smith.

To learn more about George's inspiration for her second album, have a listen to an interview I did with her in 2019.

This can be used as an alternative any jazz standard. It's also a great tune for secondary school aged students to:

• Understand syncopation between the bass, guitar and drums
• Different scales used for improvisation

96 of My Life – JME [Explicit Lyrics]

When you see a grime artist, do you usually think of them earning a degree, being entrepreneurial, married and vegan? JME gives us a brief outline about his life and how he was able to work on his music career while going to university and supporting his mother with the rent.

JME founded the label Boy Better Know with his older brother Skepta, and collaborated on the platinum-selling tune ‘That’s Not Me’ in 2014. JME is one of the most influential grime artists of all time and his 2015 album Integrity> is a classic.

Due to the language used, this tune can be used for GCSE/A Level students to discover:

• Using grime to tell open, honest and personal stories
• Construction of a beat
• How JME uses slang and other colloqualisms

I’m Still in Love – Alton Ellis (1977)

Many of you may recognise the hook from Sean Paul and Sasha’s 2002 hit of the same name. Ellis’ version feels more honest, rougher and captures the spirit of rocksteady that he was known and respected for.

Not only did he write songs about love, but reflecting sentiments shared across the African diaspora in the 70's, Ellis writes about his personal identity as a Black man and wider social issues. His song Blackman’s Word is a lamentation about the struggles of Black people across the diaspora, while I'm A True Born African (1971) speaks of his yearning for his true homeland.

"I was living in my own land
I was moved because of white man's plan
And now I am living in a white man's land" (Blackman's Word)

This tune is great for children of all ages to:

• Dance to
• Learn about other sub genres of reggae
• Learn about other reggae musicians apart from Bob Marley
• Compare and contrast Alton Ellis' version to Sean Paul and Sasha's

The Spark Catchers (Live) – Hannah Kendall (2020)

Taken from the album of the same name, this performance was recorded by the Chineke! Orchestra, the first majority non-white orchestra in Europe. Kendall herself is a highly regarded as one of the most important British composers of her generation, having won the Woman of the Future Award in 2005.

This piece was written for Chineke! but was inspired by a poem of the same name by the author Lemn Sissay. The poem itself is a reference to the 1888 strike organised by matchgirls in Easy London, brought about by the dangerous and occasionally lethal working conditions in an East End match factory.

This piece can teach about:

• Contemporary composition
• Instrumentation
• How the words of Sissay's poem have been interpreted by Kendall

Rise Up ft. Akala – Ayanna Witter-Johnson (2019)

Witter-Johnson is a composer, cellist and vocalist who has collaborated with ensembles such as the London Symphony and BBC Symphony Orchestras, as well as artists such as Anoushka Shankar, Robert Mitchell and Nitin Sawhney.

Her innovative application of cello technique can be heard on tunes such as Unconditionally and her cover of The Police’s 1978 hit Roxanne. These tunes all feature on her 2019 album Road Runner, which is well worth a listen. She also played on Akala’s tune Our Way, the Way from his album The Thieves Banquet (2013).

It's appropriate for older primary children and older to:

• Understand the use of modes
• Uncover what Akala is rapping about
• See a Black woman playing the cello in an unconventional way

Oh Danny Boy - Mark Bunney (2019)

(Oh) Danny Boy is a ballad thought to have been written in the 17th century by an Irish harpist. Today, the melody goes by many names including Londonderry Air and I Cannot Tell (in certain Christian circles).

Bunney is a British saxophonist who studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, before embarking on a career recording and performing original and traditional gospel tunes around the world.

If you’re a fan of gospel, jazz and the saxophone, have a listen to the rest of his 2019 album entitled Forhym. Instead of using traditional folk arrangements of this song, children and young people of all ages can learn about elements such as:

• Reharmonisation
• Use of repetition and sequence
• Blues and improvisation
• How context can change the meaning of a song

The MU has been arguing for more clarity for months now, as Government advice regarding what is and isn’t allowed in the live music arena changes on an almost daily basis. Whilst the nature of this pandemic does of course mean that some decisions must be made very quickly, it is simply unacceptable that advice governing people’s livelihoods often contradicts itself – sometimes even within the same document.

The Government must get its own house in order

Wherever these apparent contradictions occur we immediately contact the Government to ask for clarification, but lately replies have been taking weeks rather than days. One of the recent examples is two pieces of advice with regards to musicians playing at weddings in England – one saying that musicians are exempt from the 15 guests, and the other saying that they are not. We still have no clear response from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

We are editing and adding to the advice on the MU website several times a day in order to try and ensure that we give members the most up to date guidance possible. We now call on the Government to get its own house in order and make sure that the rules they are enforcing are clear and consistent.

Musicians are relying on this advice to try to piece together some work at this incredibly difficult time, and at the moment the Government is seriously letting them down.

Take action now

Join our urgent call to the Government to do more, in order to safeguard the future of the UK’s music culture and industry – ask your MP to make your voice heard in Parliament.

You can use our template letter if you’re not sure what to say. Remember to include how you are affected too – personal stories make all the difference.

Write to your MP now.

Write to your MLAs

Write to your MLAs using our template letter below. Remember to include how you are affected by the coronavirus pandemic – personal stories make all the difference.

You can find your MLAs’ email addresses via the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Find out more about the MU’s lobbying asks and write to your MP about meaningful financial support in our Covid-19 advice hub – where you will also find the latest news and advice for musicians.

Caroline Sewell, our Regional Organiser for Scotland & Northern Ireland, responded to this news:

“The MU is deeply concerned about the effective ban on live music in Northern Ireland which was announced last week. Musicians have suffered acutely throughout this crisis with their livelihoods completely disappearing in the vast majority of cases. We are keen to hear from the Executive and to gain an understanding of the evidence which has driven this decision.”

The letter has also been signed by UK Music. Their acting CEO, Tom Kiehl explained the umbrella organisation's support:

“Live music is incredibly important to Northern Ireland. It sustains thousands of jobs and in a normal year would generate millions for the local economy. UK Music asks the Northern Ireland Executive to reconsider this ban and support actions that will aid music’s eventual recovery.”

An open letter on music in crisis in Northern Ireland

The MU represents 32,000 professional musicians who work across all areas and genres in the UK industry and far beyond. Our members compose, teach, record and perform in order to make what is usually a very modest living and the impact of Covid-19 on our members and the wider cultural industries has been nothing short of devastating.

Six months ago, their diaries were wiped clear of work for the remainder of 2020 and beyond. As the work disappeared, so did the income of thousands of musicians and it quickly became clear that very little support would be coming as 33% of our members have not been eligible for government support in the form of the Job Retention Scheme or the Self Employment Income Support Scheme.

More recent announcements on the extension of these schemes have done little to quell the fears and anxieties of our members as they fall far short of providing meaningful support that will stand any chance of alleviating the widening and deepening levels of hardship which are being faced by so many. This is a crisis.

Music forms a crucial part of the creative economy in Northern Ireland. As an industry it contributes almost £70m in annual gross value added (GVA) to the local economy, with a further £8m generated through music related tourism.

One musicians’ gig has the ability to create a positive ripple effect through the live music ecology which reaches venues, bar staff, lighting engineers, sound engineers and the wider night time economy in restaurants, bars, hotels and so it goes on.

The sheer quality and vibrancy of the world renowned Northern Irish music scene consistently punches well above its weight and is intrinsically linked to the cultural identity of Northern Ireland. This is hugely important culturally and economically, but also socially as those positive effects reverberate through our communities and in our mental health and wellbeing. This is all in jeopardy.

Through no fault of their own, one third (34%) of musicians are considering abandoning the industry completely due to the acute financial hardship they continue to face as a result of the pandemic. Nearly half of our members have been forced to seek work outside of the industry and 70% have been unable to undertake more than a quarter of their usual work.

These statistics are truly devastating and so getting musicians back to work must be of the utmost priority if we are to save our industry which contributes so significantly economically, socially and culturally and which currently faces existential crisis.

We write on behalf of our members, in the strongest possible terms, to express our deepest concern at the latest announcements from the Northern Irish Executive as regards the new restrictions now in place which effectively ban live music. This had been an area where some musicians were beginning to claw back just some of their lost work and desperately needed income.

Last week’s announcement of £29m which will now come to the Arts, Culture and Heritage Sector in Northern Ireland was very much welcome after a long and anxious wait for the news. However, it is not yet clear how these funds will be targeted and there is currently a real danger that we may reach a point of no return for the music sector in Northern Ireland unless positive action is taken to nurture and protect the sector through this crisis.

We wish to seek urgent clarity on the rationale behind this decision and to engage in urgent talks with the executive on the matter.

Take action now

Following the latest announcements from the Executive effectively banning live music, and the MU’s open letter in response, we’re calling on MU members in Northern Ireland to write to their MLAs in support of the music industry and the musicians who make it.

We’ve created a template letter you can use to write to your MLAs. Remember to include how you are affected by the coronavirus pandemic – personal stories make all the difference.

Take action now.

Should a musician be required to wear a face covering when performing in a venue such as a restaurant or bar?

In England a musician will not need to wear a facemask whilst performing, however they must wear one at all other times in the venue. You can read detailed guidance on mask wearing in England on the Government’s website.

Singers and wind and brass players can use other mitigations – greater distance and/or screens for example when performing – but when not performing they would need to use a mask.

Whilst live performances in front of an audience still aren’t permitted in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – guidance from each devolved government on face coverings is applicable to many musicians’ workplaces.

• Read the Scottish Government’s guidance on mask wearing
• Read the Northern Ireland Executive’s guidance on mask wearing
• Read the Welsh Government’s guidance on mask wearing

The fund will open for applications on Monday 5 October.

We would strongly advise members based in Wales to check if they are eligible for the fund as soon as possible – and to then apply for the fund as soon as they can after it opens, especially if they have fallen through the gaps of UK and Welsh Government support so far.

We hosted a meeting for MU members to discuss the fund with Gerwyn Evans from Creative Wales on Tuesday 29 September. We will keep members informed of any similar events moving forward.

The Job Support Scheme simply does not work for many of our members, many of whom are not working at all at the moment. And even if musicians do qualify for the extension to the SEISS grant, expecting people to survive on 20% of their usual monthly income is an insult.

There was also no acknowledgement of the fact that 38% of musicians don’t qualify for this scheme anyway – a point we’ve been hammering away at for months now.

The MU made these points today in a meeting of the Performers’ Alliance All Party Parliamentary Group, which was attended by a number of MPs as well as the other performers’ trade unions. These MPs will be asking questions of the Government in Parliament and highlighting the plight of musicians during this crisis.

We are also speaking to the TUC to urge them to join with us in calling for sector specific support that will work for our members.

Musicians deserve better. Music deserves better. We will not stop fighting for our members.

Take action now

Join our urgent call to the Government to do more, in order to safeguard the future of the UK’s music culture and industry – ask your MP to make your voice heard in Parliament.

You can use our template letter if you’re not sure what to say. Remember to include how you are affected too – personal stories make all the difference.

Write to your MP now.

The event will include a screening of 'The RE:IMI UK Music Industry And Racism' video. Following this, special guest Prof. Paul Gilroy, Director of the Sarah Parker Remond Centre for the Study of Racism & Racialisation, will summarise and offer some discussion points.

The music industry professionals who will be taking part in the event include the MU’s Education and Equalities Officer, Rose Delcour-Min.

Details on the Zoom meeting will be provided once you have booked your place on the event, and tickets are on sale from £5.98. It will run from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm on Monday 28 September, and we recommend that you book your place in advance.

Find out more and buy your ticket.

Vital funds must be distributed without delay

Our National Organiser for Northern Ireland, Caroline Sewell, welcomed the announcement whilst continuing to underline how urgent it is that these funds reach members on an individual level:

“We welcome this announcement from the NI Executive which sees £29m allocated to the arts sector. This is the majority of the £33m, originally allocated to the executive in July from Westminster which has been a long time coming and will come as a relief for many individuals and organisations who have been facing hardship as a result of Covid.

“These vital funds must now be distributed without delay and we look forward to further discussions with the Department for Communities on how the funding will be targeted. We will continue to press the importance of funds reaching individuals who work in the arts who have been unable to earn and in many cases, unable to access other forms of financial support”.

We are seeking clarification from the Northern Irish Executive and the Department of Culture on how the funding will be made available, and who will be eligible. We’ll keep members informed as we know more.

Take action now

Join our urgent call to the Government to do more, in order to safeguard the future of the UK’s music culture and industry – ask your MP to make your voice heard in Parliament.

You can use our template letter if you’re not sure what to say. Remember to include how you are affected too – personal stories make all the difference.

Write to your MP now.

The Chancellor also announced that the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) would be extended to support viable traders facing reduced demand – covering 20% of average monthly trading profits via a government grant.

From 1 November, for the next six months, the Job Support Scheme will protect viable jobs in businesses who are facing lower demand over the winter months due to Covid-19. pic.twitter.com/8NpIKpQV8y

— HM Treasury (@hmtreasury) September 24, 2020

Developments that musicians should be aware of

Key points from the Chancellor’s announcement included:

• A new Jobs Support Scheme, which will be launched for employees working at least a third of their normal hours, who are being paid for that as normal. The government and employers will jointly increase their wages to cover two-thirds of their lost pay and the employee will keep their job
• All small and medium-sized businesses are eligible, but larger businesses must show their turnover has fallen during the crisis. Employers can use it even if they have not previous used the furlough scheme it replaces
• It will run for six months from November
• The existing grant for self-employed people is being extended on similar terms to the Jobs Support Scheme
• A “pay as you grow” scheme was announced for businesses, allowing them to extend their bounce back loans from six to 10 years, reducing their payments
• Businesses can also move to interest-only payments or suspend repayments for six months if they are "in real trouble". Credit ratings will be unaffected
• The government guarantee on Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans will be extended to 10 years and a new successor loan guarantee programme will be announced in January
• The temporary reduction of VAT from 20% to 5% for some sectors will remain in place until 31 March 2021

There are a huge number of outstanding questions to be answered

Our General Secretary Horace Trubridge responded to the news:

“Whilst today’s announcement is, of course, welcome for many workers, there are a huge number of outstanding questions to be answered. Our surveys have shown that 38% of musicians were never able to benefit from either of the previous job support schemes, so we urge the Chancellor to ensure that these workers are not also excluded from the plans announced today.

“We also need to see more detail of how the replacement of the furlough scheme and the extension of SEISS will work in practice. The live music industry has been put on almost complete hold due to the Coronavirus crisis, and 70% of our members are currently unable to work more than a quarter of their usual hours.

“If the bar for qualifying for these schemes is set at 33% of normal hours this will be a huge problem for musicians. These jobs are entirely viable jobs, they have just been completely paused during this crisis and the Government must act to protect musicians.

“The extension of SEISS, whilst welcome, is set to only cover 20% of average monthly trading profits. Is the Government seriously expecting many musicians to survive on 20% of their usual income for the next six months?”

Take action now

Join our urgent call to the Government to do more, in order to safeguard the future of the UK’s music culture and industry – ask your MP to make your voice heard in Parliament.

You can use our template letter if you’re not sure what to say. Remember to include how you are affected too – personal stories make all the difference.

Write to your MP now.

• From Thursday 24 September, pubs, bars and restaurants must close at 10:00 pm
• People who can work at home should do so.
• From the 28 September the number of attendees at a Wedding and/or Wedding Reception has been reduced to 15, however anyone working – including musicians – are not included in this number.
• In Scotland the number of Wedding attendess continues to be restricted to 20  – those numbers include musicians and anyone else booked by the wedding party, but do not include venue staff (e.g. waiters or bartenders).
• In Wales there is no limit on the number who can attend a Wedding ceremony, up to the capacity of the venue given social distancing requirements. However Wedding receptions in Wales are limited to 30, although staff and third party suppliers aren’t included in this limit.
   
  Areas in Wales under local lockdown will have different rules, and you should check the Welsh Government's website for the latest information.
   

Scotland and Northern Ireland have also barred residents from hosting people in their own household or visiting others’ homes. This rule is already in place in Northern Ireland, and will be active in Scotland from tomorrow.

However, schools in England and Scotland are remaining open and people who cannot work from home are still being encouraged to go into work, so musicians working in Covid-19 secure workplaces that are sticking to Government guidance and precautions are fine to proceed.

Today’s announcement, though, is further unwelcome news for the live gigging sector and makes it clearer than ever that urgent financial support will be needed for musicians and other freelancers.

Government must support musicians during the pandemic

Our latest Covid-19 Impact Poll reveals that 34% are considering abandoning their career in music, while 37% are not sure.

The poll also reveals:

• 36% musicians do not have any work at all right now
• 65% musicians are facing financial hardship
• 87% musicians will be facing financial hardship as a result of the Government’s income support schemes ending in October

Take Action Now

Join our urgent call to the Government to do more, in order to safeguard the future of the UK’s music culture and industry – ask your MP to make your voice heard in Parliament.

You can use our template letter if you’re not sure what to say. Remember to include how you are affected too – personal stories make all the difference.

Write to your MP now.

Reports on the day we released the poll results include:

• “Third of British musicians may quit industry amid pandemic,” in The Guardian
• “One-third of professional British musicians are considering giving up their careers amid the coronavirus pandemic,” on The Guardian’s Coronavirus Live News feed
• BBC Breakfast led with our stats in items before 7:00 am and made reference to the Union’s research
• “One in three musicians on brink of leaving industry, union claims,” in The Stage
• “A third of musicians could leave industry due to coronavirus, new study says,” in NME
• “Musicians Union calls on Government to face the music,” in Record of The Day
• “UK’s Musicians’ Union delivers new warning over Covid-19,” in Music Ally
• “One third of UK musicians are considering quitting amid the pandemic,” in Dazed
• “Nine in 10 musicians say Government has not done enough to support sector,” in Evening Express
• “Nine in 10 musicians say Government has not done enough to support sector,” in the Belfast Telegraph

Take Action Now

Join our urgent call to the Government to do more, in order to safeguard the future of the UK’s music culture and industry - ask your MP to make your voice heard in Parliament.

You can use our template letter if you’re not sure what to say. Remember to include how you are affected too – personal stories make all the difference.

Write to your MP now.

With furlough schemes coming to an end, 87% of musicians who were covered by the schemes say they will be facing financial hardship, and a third (33%) didn’t even qualify for any of the support available. As a result, nine in 10 (88%) believe the Government has not done enough to support musicians during the pandemic.

Getting musicians back to work is a priority

Horace Trubridge, General Secretary of the MU, responded to the results:

“These figures are devastating and show how many musicians are struggling financially and at real risk of leaving music for good. In better times, our members drive a £5bn music industry with their talent. One artist’s gig will create a domino effect of jobs – from lighting technicians to ticket sellers. If one musician is out of work, you can be sure many others will be affected too.

“We appreciate all the Government has done to support our members through the furlough and self-employment income support schemes so far, but they must not abandon musicians now. With social distancing measures still in place, venues can only sell at around 30% of usual capacity.

“We are calling on the Government to implement a seat-matching scheme, which would take venues’ potential revenue to 60%, providing a lifeline to musicians and the wider industry.

“Getting musicians back to work is the priority. However, this is simply not realistic for so many of our members while social distancing remains in place. We strongly urge the Government to recognise the unique situation that our members are in and to provide sector specific financial support for musicians.”

Thank you to everyone who has taken our Covid-19 Impact Polls so far, the results from our latest survey are receiving wide spread coverage in the media, including an article in the Guardian as part of their “culture in peril,” series.

Take Action Now

Join our urgent call to the Government to do more, in order to safeguard the future of the UK’s music culture and industry - ask your MP to make your voice heard in Parliament.

You can use our template letter if you’re not sure what to say. Remember to include how you are affected too – personal stories make all the difference.

Write to your MP now.

As part of the survey they are investigating the impact of Covid-19 on people with parenting and caring responsibilities who face additional barriers in their careers due to race, gender, disability and/or socio-economic status.

This intersectional approach enables them to understand the deeper complexities and challenges faced by many parents and carers in the performing arts.

Find out more and complete the survey now.

All records will remain confidential and the questionnaire will not record the names of participants. As such, your identity will remain anonymous.

Non-professional musicians can also play in groups indoors and outdoors, provided they follow the Scottish Government’s permitted numbers for social distancing – which is currently six people from a maximum of two households (excluding children under 12 from those households). Non-professionals are also required to stick to two-metre distancing measures.

We’re waiting for clarification on how this new relaxation of restrictions may affect singing, brass and woodwind music in schools and will be updating members when we know more. Members note that local restrictions will still apply in all cases.

The relaxation of restrictions will make a real difference

Our National Organiser for Scotland, Caroline Sewell, welcomed this news:

“The MU welcome this latest update to the Performing Arts and Venues guidance and the relaxation of the restrictions which will make a real difference for singers and brass and woodwind players, both professional and those involved with non-professional music making.

“We will continue liaise with the Scottish Government and the wider music sector on this guidance and members should contact the Scotland and Northern Ireland Regional Office for any questions they may have relating to their work.”

For further details, see the Scottish Government’s Performing Arts and Venues guidance for Playing Music.

Ideas being explored at the present time, which the MU is backing, include:

• Exploring lessening social distancing for live sector to make it economically viable. It has been discussed that social distancing could be dropped to 0.5m in time, which would enable greater audience capacities. However, this relies on numbers of Coronavirus cases decreasing which is not what's happening at present. The UK Government would like to reach Stage 5 of its Roadmap by the end of the year but this is not looking very likely at present so other options must be explored.
• A moonshot audience-testing plan (led by number 10) is being developed but this is unlikely to be a solution for the whole industry before Christmas. It may work for some events and will be trialled shortly.

A Government backed insurance scheme for live events is being explored as the lack of insurance to cover Covid-19 related closures is a problem for promoters, venues and theatre producers. The MU is looking at whether such a scheme would cover musicians' losses from cancelled events and further advice is coming for members on this in due course.

The cultural recovery fund is aimed at helping venues and organisations until March next year. We are lobbying hard for sector specific support for freelancers and for the furlough scheme to be extended until at least the end of the year.

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl commented on the importance of the conversation, and how concerned members could act next:

“At times like these, we need to ensure income streams to creators and performers are strengthened. Royalties sustain careers. To support us, sign the #FixStreaming petition and get involved with the #BrokenRecord campaign.”

Campaigning to fix streaming

The MU and Ivors Academy are working together to fix streaming and keep music alive.

Over 16,000 people have signed the petition calling for an urgent Government review, and decision makers are taking notice.

MPs on Parliament’s Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee are backing our call, and the press is listening too. Pitchfork, Wired and more have looked at the #FixStreaming campaign, grassroots #BrokenRecord movement, and our collective push for real and meaningful change.

Add your voice to the call – sign the Fix Streaming petition now.

However, it appeared that ATGs call for volunteers to perform was replaced by an Open Mic night. It seemed that musicians who wished to perform would have to apply in advance for a 1 to 2 hour set, and would have a tip jar put out for them – without musicians being paid directly for their work.

The MU engaged ATG in conversation and explained how musicians, like everyone else, urgently need an income right now. They requested the groups assistance in resolving this issue.

We are pleased to update that ATG have now released the following statement:

"ATG welcomed the opportunity of resolving this issue, and seeks to assure the MU and its members, that staff called to work would, of course, be paid.

“ATG values the relationship it has with staff, members, local communities and the wider industry, and would always seek to strengthen those ties when developing projects or initiatives, and it regrets the unfortunate set of circumstances in this instance.

“We hope the steps taken have resolved the issue, and we look forward to working with all of our industry partners as soon as we are able to reopen our venues."

This is not a hobby, it’s our profession

Many artists are looking for paid work after losing all their bookings due to Covid-19. Being expected to work for free only adds to the stress that they are already under.

While the UK Government has permitted a return to indoor live music in England, it will not result in MU members being able to make a living in the short or medium term. The £1.57 billion Cultural Recovery Fund is also unlikely to reach the majority of musicians.

And while many people would expect other forms of income, such as streaming, to plug the gaps, the #BrokenRecord movement and #FixStreaming campaign show that is not the case.

No-one should feel guilty about turning down unpaid “opportunities". If you’ve been asked to work for no fee, please contact your MU Regional Office.

We may not be able to reply to every email individually. However every report is important as it helps us build cases, identify trends, and guides our work to get fair pay for every musician.

In reaction to this, over the next few weeks the STUC Equality Committees will host a Webinar to explore the impacts of Covid-19 on their protected characteristic and equality related issues in the workplace and society.

The Webinars will consist of a range of speakers and are open to all. Our Webinars will also be live streamed via the STUC Facebook.

Reserve your place on a webinar

The sessions will be:

Black Workers’ Committee

When: Thursday 17 September, 6:30 pm
Topic: Racial Justice at Work
Register in advance

Disabled Workers’ Committee

When: Wednesday 23 September, 6:30 pm
Topic: Fighting For Our Futures, Fight To Be Heard
Register in advance

STUC LGBT+ Workers’ Committee

When: Wednesday 30 September, 6:30 pm
Topic: Mental Health and the Lives of LGBT+ People During Lockdown
Register in advance

STUC Women’s Committee

When: Monday 5 October, 6:30 pm
Topic: Power To The Wumin. COVID-19 and its Impact on Women
Register in advance

Join an MU Members Network

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Joining a network that you identify with ensures that our work represents you. It means you can play a vital role in shaping our services, policies and campaigns.

Sign up to a network on your My MU communications preferences page to receive occasional updates and be notified opportunities to get involved.