It's great that the Government recognises the impact music from the UK has on the rest of the world and the UK economy. Image credit: Shutterstock.
New plans to maximise the potential of the UK creative industries and grow the economy were set out by the government earlier this week. They include:
- £77m of new funding for the sector, which Government claims will suport a million more jobs by 2030
- Advanced screen and performance technology research labs to be based in Yorkshire, Dundee, Belfast and Buckinghamshire
- Additional funding for music venues, video games studios, London Fashion Week and the Music Export Growth Scheme
- A new creative careers promise to build skills and talent
Read the full Gov.uk press release.
While we hope the investment will generate more jobs and opportunities, the MU will continue to lobby the Government on arts funding and BBC cuts
Naomi Pohl, MU General Secretary says: "It is welcome that the Government has recognised the potential of the creative industries and are making additional investment, particularly in grassroots music venues.
“On top of the extension of the higher rate of orchestral and theatre tax relief, we feel the Treasury is listening to the sector. We hope the investment will generate growth and most importantly, that it will generate more jobs and opportunities for creative people, including freelancers who are struggling to remain in the arts following the Covid-19 and cost of living crisis.
“However, there is a long way to go to recover ground following years of underinvestment and the pandemic, which hit musicians’ earnings particularly hard.
“Real terms cuts to funding for the arts councils and the BBC must also be reversed in order to ensure sustainable creative jobs, and we will continue to lobby the Government on these points”.
We hope Government will also find funds to support musicians working in the EU
Dave Webster, MU Head of International adds: “It's great that the Government recognises the impact music from the UK has on the rest of the world and the UK economy, and that money has been found to support the Music Export Growth Scheme.
“Since we left the EU, artists have been suffering with the added costs of touring on their doorstep. We hope that the Government will find some funds to support UK artists working in the EU and re-look at the asks from the music industry, as well as the recommendations in the APPG report ‘Let The Music Move’ ”.