skip to main content

Shielding Members Encouraged to Complete Survey

Help us to lobby for better and more structured support for members who can not return to work due to shielding, by completing the survey we are running with the Ivors Academy.

Published: 03 December 2020 | 12:00 AM Updated: 28 April 2021 | 4:32 PM
Photograph of a person playing a drum, in front of a laptop which appears to be displaying a web video conference of other musicians also playing instruments.
We want to capture the experiences of these groups so we can lobby on their behalf for better and more structured support. Photo credit: Shutterstock

Members who are shielding, living with someone who is shielding, or have increased caring responsibilities or reduced personal assistance as a result of the virus are encouraged to complete the survey.

Although shielding advice from the Government has ended – we know that many belonging to these groups continue to be adversely affected. We’ll be using the results of the survey to better represent the needs of this group in our lobbying work.

Our Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl explained:

“We know that many musicians who have been shielding, living with someone who is shielding or their caring arrangements have changed due to coronavirus feel overlooked and forgotten.

“Although shielding advice has ended many of members in these situations cannot return to work. We want to capture the experiences of these groups so we can lobby on their behalf for better and more structured support.”

The survey will take around five minutes to complete, please submit your answers before Friday 18 December.

Take the survey 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

Close up of a large, red, closed theatre safety curtain, lit up by stage lights.

Right to Work Changes and Deputies: MU Seeking Urgent Legal Clarification

Concerns have been raised about how new Right to Work requirements could affect musicians who arrange deputies or substitutes to perform on their behalf. The MU is urgently investigating the implications and will provide further guidance as soon as possible.

Published: 18 September 2026

Read more about Right to Work Changes and Deputies: MU Seeking Urgent Legal Clarification
A birds eye view of an online music lesson. A person sits at a keyboard in front of a phone on a stand, and an open laptop.

Dr Anna Bull: Putting Young People’s Voices at the Heart of Music Education

Originally written for Music Teacher magazine, Dr Anna Bull explores why safeguarding is about more than policies and procedures, and how empowering young people to find their voice can help create safer music education, as set out in the MU’s Experiences of Harm and Risk in Music Education Guide.

Published: 17 September 2026

Read more about Dr Anna Bull: Putting Young People’s Voices at the Heart of Music Education
Shot from behind of someone in a cap sat working at a mixing desk in a recording studio.

Have Your say in UK Music’s 2026 Workforce Diversity Survey

UK Music is inviting people working across the music industry to take part in its Workforce Diversity Survey, which aims to identify where further improvements are needed and highlight where positive change is already taking place.

Published: 17 September 2026

Read more about Have Your say in UK Music’s 2026 Workforce Diversity Survey
Close up of someone composing. They are holding an acoustic guitar while sat in front of a computer screen and keyboard, whilst also writing notes on a tablet.

MU Welcomes BBC’s New Commissioning Guidelines for Media Composers

New commissioning guidelines developed by the MU, BBC, BBC Studios Music Publishing and The Ivors Academy will help media composers better understand the BBC's commissioning process, with clearer guidance on contracts, rights, pitching and the use of AI.

Published: 17 September 2026

Read more about MU Welcomes BBC’s New Commissioning Guidelines for Media Composers