skip to main content

User Centric Model Support by Labour Party

We’re delighted that the user centric model of paying out streaming royalties has Labour Party support.

Published: 24 June 2020 | 12:00 AM Updated: 25 March 2022 | 4:33 PM
Photograph of a earbud earphones stuck to a bright background with a first-aid style sticking plaster
This move follows political lobbying by the MU and grassroots activism by the Broken Record movement.

Speaking to Colin Murray on BBC 5 Live, Labour Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Jo Stevens said "The Labour Party position is that we support this. Why should it be any different for musicians than it is for any other professional trade?

"If a musician creates something and it's being used and enjoyed and listened to by people, then through that platform, musicians should be paid for their work," she added.

This follows political lobbying by the MU and grassroots activism by the Broken Record movement led by Tom Gray.

Tom also appeared on the show to talk about streaming, copyright and fair royalties for musicians.

Where user centric fits in

In a joint opinion piece, MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl and Ivors Academy Chair Crispin Hunt look at how user centric can be part of the solution;

"User-centric means that a subscriber’s £10 per month would be paid out on the music they personally streamed.

“At the moment, it is perhaps not well understood by music fans that the money they pay doesn’t go to the music they listen to.

“In fact, as much as 70% could go to the owners of rights in music they never listened to, and this is after the platform have taken their share (around £3 per user)"

Read more from Naomi and Crispin.

#FixStreaming

Take urgent action to fix streaming

Call on Parliament to back music streaming royalties for non-featured artists

Take urgent action to fix streaming

Continue reading

Close up of wooden violin bow.

New Rules for Pernambuco Bows Come into Force

Following a decision at the CITES Conference of the Parties, new rules governing the international trade of pernambuco bows came into force on 5 March 2026. Guidance from the UK CITES authority explains what the changes mean for musicians.

Published: 06 March 2026

Read more about New Rules for Pernambuco Bows Come into Force
The UK and EU flags, waved together in front of Big Ben in London.

MU Backs Petition Urging UK to Rejoin Creative Europe Programme

The EU/UK Culture Forum has launched a petition calling on the UK Government to rejoin Creative Europe from 2027. The programme supports funding and cultural collaboration across Europe, and the MU is encouraging members to sign and show their support.

Published: 26 February 2026

Read more about MU Backs Petition Urging UK to Rejoin Creative Europe Programme