skip to main content

Survey on Birmingham Clean Air Zone

Support our campaign to lobby the council to mitigate the impact on musicians and associated businesses.

Published: 03 November 2020 | 12:00 AM Updated: 28 April 2021 | 4:31 PM
Photograph of Birmingham Bullring, with the sky reflected in its shiny metallic surface.
We need more data to support the campaign and know how BCAZ will affect you. Photo credit: Shutterstock

The MU is concerned about the impact of Birmingham City Council's proposed Birmingham Clean Air Zone (BCAZ) on musicians.

The council's proposals will charge anyone going into the zone between midnight and midnight with a non-compliant vehicle (one that is not EU4 petrol or EU6 diesel) a fee of £8. For musicians who regularly work in the proposed BCAZ, and who may arrive to work/gig/rehearse etc before midnight and then leave after midnight when they are finished, a double £8 charge will apply meaning a £16 cost.

Many musicians are on low income, are emerging artists, or have no choice but to use their vehicles to transport equipment to venues, rehearsal rooms, instrument shops or repair workshops, and could be hard hit by these charges, as could the associated businesses. This will detrimentally affect their livelihoods and the cultural life of the city.

The MU is undertaking a campaign to lobby the council to mitigate the impact on musicians and associated businesses and wants more data to support that campaign to know how this will affect you.

We have drawn up a survey as part of this campaign, and we are asking all musicians affected by BCAZ to complete it in order to help us help you. Bear in mind that the data asked for should outline your normal (pre Covid-19) activities, so that we have the most accurate assessment.

Take part in 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

John Shortell wearing a Musicians' Union t-shirt with rainbow logo, holding a flag, during a Pride march in 2023. He is joined by colleagues and other members who are performing as they walk.

MU Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Named in IQ Magazine’s 2025 Queer Pioneers List

The MU congratulates John Shortell, Head of ED&I, on being named one of IQ Magazine’s outstanding queer professionals in the international live music business. John is a driving force for change, and the Union is exceptionally proud to have him working on behalf of musicians.

Published: 03 July 2025

Read more about MU Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Named in IQ Magazine’s 2025 Queer Pioneers List
An empty conference stage, lit up multi coloured blocks.

Join the MU at the We Make Music Scotland Conference 2025

The MU will be attending and sponsoring a workshop at this year’s We Make Music Scotland Conference, taking place on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 September at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.

Published: 02 July 2025

Read more about Join the MU at the We Make Music Scotland Conference 2025
Wooden blocks with speech bubble graphics on them against a blue background, a single block with a red stop sign is in front of them, blocking the line, representing free speech restrictions.

MU Reiterates Anti-Censorship Stance

The MU reiterates its anti-censorship position and support for the organisation ‘Freemuse’, following the issues around the broadcasting of Glastonbury sets this weekend.

Published: 01 July 2025

Read more about MU Reiterates Anti-Censorship Stance