skip to main content
Search

MU Meets With Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for Industry Update

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl met with Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy, to discuss a range of topics including our fix streaming campaign, the need for protection of creators’ rights in relation to AI, and more.

Published: 30 January 2025 | 3:02 PM
Houses of Parliament and Big Ben in the evening.
During the meeting, Naomi raised the issue of BBC funding and the ongoing campaign to fix music streaming. Photo: Shutterstock.

This week Musicians' Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl, met with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy.

During the meeting they discussed industrial strategy for the creative industries, the new Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA), and challenges facing the Union's freelance members.

Also covered in the wide ranging conversation were BBC funding and the ongoing campaign to fix music streaming.

 

Naomi further raised concerns about the Government's position on artificial intelligence (AI) and the need to protect musicians and music creators. Members are encouraged to take part in a consultation on AI as soon as possible.

The ability to stop your music being used to train AI systems should be a right for individual creators - not just record labels and publishers 👇

— Musicians' Union (MU) (@wearethemu.bsky.social) Dec 17, 2024 at 12:42

Also at the meeting were Equity General Secretary Paul Fleming, and BECTU General Secretary Philippa Childs.

See all news
#FixStreaming

Take urgent action to fix streaming

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

Sign the petition See all Campaigns
Take urgent action to fix streaming

Continue reading

The outside of the BBC Headquarters building.

BEAU Statement on BBC Charter Review Launch

The MU has joined sister unions in writing to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy to reiterate the key principles that should underpin the BBC Charter Review process.

Published: 18 December 2025

Read more about BEAU Statement on BBC Charter Review Launch
Black and white image of a conductor in front of the orchestra pit in a theatre, cast members are on stage in the background out of focus.

MU Welcomes Arts Council England Review

We broadly welcome Baroness Margaret Hodge’s review of Arts Council England, which reflects many of the concerns raised by the MU and other creative unions. We will now press the government to respond positively to its recommendations.

Published: 18 December 2025

Read more about MU Welcomes Arts Council England Review
Naomi Pohl at Labour Party Conference 2024 holding a placard that says 'Labour's New Deal for Working People'.

Landmark Employment Rights Bill Becomes Law

The MU welcomes passage of the Employment Rights Bill, which will now become law. Shaped by trade union input, the legislation represents an important step forward for workers’ rights, equality and protections, with further reforms for freelancers promised in a second phase.

Published: 16 December 2025

Read more about Landmark Employment Rights Bill Becomes Law
Flags of the United Kingdom and the European Union next to each other.

Organisations from Across UK and Europe Join Forces to Remove Barriers to Touring and Drive Growth

A new UK–EU Cultural Exchange Coalition has launched today, uniting the MU and major creative organisations to push for removing post-Brexit touring barriers. The alliance seeks to turn political promises on cultural exchange into action supporting artists and renewing collaboration.

Published: 03 December 2025

Read more about Organisations from Across UK and Europe Join Forces to Remove Barriers to Touring and Drive Growth
All news and features