skip to main content

Highlighting That Musicians Deserve Better

In the Performers’ Alliance All Party Parliamentary Group this morning, we highlighted how yesterday’s announcement from the Chancellor has left many musicians feeling abandoned.

Published: 25 September 2020 | 12:00 AM Updated: 28 April 2021 | 4:31 PM
Photograph of musician with a guitar and mike, silhouetted against the stage lights.
MPs who attended the Performers’ Alliance APPG will be asking questions of the Government in Parliament and highlighting the plight of musicians during this crisis. Photo credit: Shutterstock

Many workers are waking up feeling a sense of relief this morning following the Chancellor’s announcement yesterday. Most musicians will be waking up feeling completely abandoned by the Government.

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.

Get MU membership today

From gig players to part-time teachers and professional instrumentalists, MU members can access specialist insurance for musicians. This includes Public Liability, Instrument and Equipment Insurance, Accident Insurance, Tax Investigation Insurance, and Professional Indemnity Insurance for music teachers.

Explore our member services

  • Get public liability insurance for musicians
  • Access expert legal support
  • Be represented in your profession
  • Access expert career advice, resources, and training events
  • Connect, network, and get to know the community of musicians

Learn about all membership benefits

Get MU membership today

Continue reading

Three wooden blocks with red icons painted on them.

MU Concerned by New EU Customs Fees for Artists Selling Merchandise

A new EU customs charge on low-value parcels is creating additional costs and administrative challenges for musicians selling merchandise directly to fans in Europe. The MU will work to ensure musicians affected by the new legislation are represented at a stakeholder consultation later this year.

Published: 31 July 2026

Read more about MU Concerned by New EU Customs Fees for Artists Selling Merchandise
A brick wall with the flags of Spain and Gibraltar painted on it, overlapping each other.

Spain-Gibraltar Border Changes: What the New Agreement Means for Musicians

New arrangements between Gibraltar and Spain will remove routine border checks for people crossing by land. While the agreement does not change existing rights to work in Spain or the EU, any time spent in Gibraltar will count towards musicians’ 90-day allowance for the Schengen area.

Published: 30 July 2026

Read more about Spain-Gibraltar Border Changes: What the New Agreement Means for Musicians
A pink sign being held up that says

Music Qualifications Reform Debated in House of Lords

Peers from across the political spectrum raised concerns about the Government’s proposed reforms to level 3 music qualifications, with ministers confirming that existing qualifications will remain in place until at least 2030 and announcing a new creative advisory board to help shape the reforms.

Published: 28 July 2026

Read more about Music Qualifications Reform Debated in House of Lords