skip to main content

Lobbying Update: Government Must Invest in Musicians This Autumn

Help us make the case to the Government to use the money that is left in the Cultural Recovery Fund to provide bridging loans and other investment for musicians, by answering three short questions.

Photo ofIsabelle Gutierrez
By Isabelle Gutierrez Published: 23 September 2021 | 3:30 PM
Photograph of a microphone against the background of yellow stage lights.
There is anecdotal evidence that some freelancers are seeing reductions in work going into the Autumn. Photo credit: Shutterstock

Parliament is now back after summer recess and the Prime Minister wasted no time in announcing an increase in national insurance for employed and self-employed workers alike.

For those freelancers and company directors who received no financial assistance whatsoever from the Government during the COVID-19 lockdowns, this increase, which comes into force from April 2022, will be a particularly bitter pill to swallow.

Although many musicians have seen increases in work over the summer, the picture varies greatly from nation to nation and there is anecdotal evidence that some freelancers are seeing reductions in work going into the Autumn.

The MU is therefore asking the Government to use the money that is left in the Cultural Recovery Fund to provide bridging loans and other investment for musicians.

In order to make this case we need to show that not all musicians have yet returned to pre-pandemic levels of work so please fill in this extremely short survey.

#KeepMusicLive

Can a UBI keep music live?

The idea of a universal basic income has been around for centuries. Now, the MU and many others believe its time has come.

Can a UBI keep music live?

Continue reading

The sun shines on the outside of the Stormont building under a blue sky.

MU Attends All Party Group on Arts at Stormont

At the All Party Ground on Arts that was held at Stormont at the end of November, MU Acting Regional Organiser for Scotland and Northern Ireland Sam Dunkley heard reports on two strategies that will be out for consultation in the spring.

Published: 07 December 2023

Read more about MU Attends All Party Group on Arts at Stormont
Close up of cello player in black and white.

MU Sponsors The Night With Festival

The Night With Festival takes place 14 -15 December in Glasgow. It offers an interesting programme of classical evening performances, as well as a daytime industry schedule. MU and Regional Officer Louise Stanners Pow will also be in attendance, offering 1-2-1 drop in sessions.

Published: 01 December 2023

Read more about MU Sponsors The Night With Festival