£1.57bn Cultural Fund Announced by the Government

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged a £1.57bn package of financial support for the arts sector on Sunday 5 July. This follows weeks of warnings from across the industry on how the UK will face cultural collapse without swift government action – including lobbying from the MU and action from our members.

Thanks to MU members and musicians who used our template letter to write to MPs and took part in #LetTheMusicPlay – because of you, and the actions of people across the arts and culture sector, the Government was forced to act.

We urge the Government to extend the SEISS and furlough scheme for creative workers

MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge responded to the Government’s arts package:

“We’re delighted that the Government has answered one of our key lobbying asks by announcing a £1.57bn cultural fund. This is a welcome first step which hopefully ensures that all our great venues and theatres will not go under. Unfortunately, it is still unlikely that musicians who work in these venues will be able to go back to work imminently.

“Given the £5.2bn that the music industry is worth to the UK economy, not to mention the cultural contribution that musicians make, it is vital that our members are able to survive this closure period, which will be far lengthier than for most other workers. 1 in 5 of our members have told us that they may leave music for good if they do not receive further financial support.

“We are therefore urging the Government to extend the SEISS and the furlough scheme for creative workers until at least the end of the year.

“Crucially, 38% of our members do not qualify for either of the Government’s assistance schemes so we are also asking that excluded musicians are able to apply for some of the money that has been announced.”

Musicians lost over £21m in the first ten days of lockdown alone. Over 90% told us they had been affected.

Four months later, 38% musicians still do not qualify for Government support and 19% are considering abandoning music altogether.

Take action now > https://t.co/bVr5oQOeRC pic.twitter.com/HrZmP4WNai

— Musicians' Union (@WeAreTheMU) June 28, 2020