The MU will continue to push for a lower reporting threshold so we can identify more pay gaps within the music industry. Image credit: Shutterstock.
Intended legislation outlined in yesterday’s King’s Speech included measures to improve workers’ rights and rights for the self-employed. This is particularly welcome, especially since the MU has been working on these proposals with other unions for a long time.
We were also pleased to see a Children’s Wellbeing Bill, which we hope will include measures to broaden what has become a very narrow curriculum to include music and other arts subjects.
Speaking at a reception that the MU attended the night before the King’s Speech, Arts Minister Chris Bryant MP, talked passionately about his first experience of live opera and the impact it had on him.
Chris also commented on the importance of music education, the challenges and possibilities of AI and the need to make touring in the EU easier for artists.
On music education he said: “We believe that every child, regardless of their background, deserves the opportunity to explore their musical talents and have access to high-quality musical activities”.
Equality commitments
Other areas where Labour have committed to changes that the MU has lobbied for include the Draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill. This will ensure the full right to equal pay for ethnic minorities and disabled people, making it much easier for them to bring unequal pay claims.
It will also introduce mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting to help close these pay gaps. This is a significant step forward in the fight for racial and disability equality, and the MU will continue to push for a lower reporting threshold so we can identify more pay gaps within the music industry.
The MU will also continue to seek a commitment from Labour to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) into UK law, a move that would be transformative for disabled people.
We also argued strongly for the increase in tribunal limits from three to six months, which is particularly important in sexual harassment claims, and the banning of conversion therapy.
Also included in the speech were other Labour manifesto commitments, such as Bills to nationalise railways, create Great British Energy, and remove the VAT exemption from private school fees.