News & Stories for Musicians

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Members’ Discount For Two Week Course on Teaching Music Online

Music:Ed is offering its readers, which include Musicians’ Union members a 25% discount on its latest training course for music teachers moving over to online lessons.

Published: 26 March 2020

The Government Announces a Welcome Plan for the Self-Employed

After weeks of lobbying MPs and Ministers, the MU has welcomed the package of help that the Government has announced for the self-employed.

Published: 26 March 2020

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MITC Launches Free Guide to Anxiety Relief and Self Isolation For Musicians

Music Industry Therapists & Coaches (MITC) have launched a Guide To Anxiety Relief and Self Isolation – this free, supportive resource is available for download from their website.

Published: 25 March 2020

PRS for Music Launches Membership Emergency Relief Fund

The new fund, which will open for applications at 9:00 am on Thursday 26 March, offers money to support songwriters and composers during unprecedented times of hardship.

Published: 25 March 2020

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Help Musicians Opens New Hardship Fund

The Help Musicians Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund is now available. Eligible musicians can apply for a one-off grant of £500.

Published: 25 March 2020

Call For Government to Protect Musicians Gains Media Coverage Across the UK

Huge numbers of members and non-member musicians have responded to our coronavirus impact survey.

Published: 24 March 2020

Ask Your MP to Support Coronavirus Bill Amendment Protecting Freelancers

Update: This amendment is no longer on the table, but Government is currently looking in intense detail at providing help for the self-employed. We still recommend that you write to your MP using the three asks below.

Published: 24 March 2020

Government Promises That Help is Coming for the Self-Employed

Following intense lobbying from the MU and others, the Government has today promised that the self-employed have not been forgotten and that ‘help is coming’.

Published: 24 March 2020

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Help Provide Immediate Support for Musicians in Real Financial Hardship

We know it’s a difficult time, but if you can please donate to support our fund for musicians facing genuine financial hardship.

Published: 24 March 2020

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Arts Council England Offers Digital Assistance

Arts Council England (ACE) have announced that their Digital Culture Network will be collating free resources, webinars and support organisations.

Published: 23 March 2020

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FEU Calls for an Income Guarantee to Protect Workers in the Arts and Media

The Federation of Entertainment Unions (FEU) have published this open letter, calling on Government to introduce an income guarantee for freelance and self-employed workers for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Published: 23 March 2020

MU General Secretary Sends Personal Message to Members Affected by Coronavirus Outbreak

In the video message, which was published across the MU’s social channels this morning (Monday, 23 March), Horace Trubridge announced the measures the MU would take to alleviate the pressure on musicians.

Published: 23 March 2020

Photograph of musician at home working on notation.

Income Tax Deferral for the Self-Employed

If you are self employed, Income Tax payments due in July 2020 under the Self-Assessment system will be deferred to January 2021.

Published: 23 March 2020

Bandcamp to Waive Own Revenue Shares This Friday

The music sharing platform will not be taking a share of profits from midnight to midnight (Pacific Time) on 20 March, in a 24-hour drive to put money directly into artists’ pockets.

Published: 20 March 2020

Arts Council Northern Ireland Publishes Coronavirus Response

Arts Council Northern Ireland have stated that their priority is to support people who work in the arts through the challenges they may face over the coming months as a result of Coronavirus.

Published: 20 March 2020

Scottish Government Announces Support for Scottish Businesses

Scottish Government has announced a further package of support which will be available for Scottish businesses.

Published: 19 March 2020

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Arts Council Wales Outlines Response to COVID-19

Arts Council Wales have updated their Coronavirus response page to outline their funding response going forward.

Published: 18 March 2020

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Chancellor Offers Financial Support to Music Venues

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has acknowledged that grassroots music venues across the UK are facing unprecedented challenges to remain in business, as they fight to continue promoting live music in the long-term.

Published: 18 March 2020

Photograph of woman sneezing into a tissue.

MU Calls on Government to Properly Protect Freelance Workers

We are calling on Government to properly protect freelance workers affected by or self-isolating due to coronavirus.

Published: 18 March 2020

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ACE, Creative Scotland and ACW Publish Advice in Response to the Coronavirus

Three major funding bodies for England, Scotland and Wales have published advice for creative businesses and individuals which members may find useful.

Published: 16 March 2020

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Mental Health: Support for Musicians

There is a lot going on in the world right now. So we wanted to take a minute to talk about the mental health support that is out there for musicians, wherever you are and wherever you work.

Published: 16 March 2020

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan Calls For Better Support for Freelance Workers

Candidate for Labour Party Deputy Leader Dr Rosena Allin-Khan has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on behalf of Musicians’ Union members, calling for better support for freelance workers.

Published: 13 March 2020

Budget 2020 Coronavirus Measures: What Do They Mean For You?

The Government has today announced its budget for the coming months, with a focus on dealing with the Coronavirus outbreak.

Published: 11 March 2020

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Government Announces Welcome Rates Relief for Music Venues in 2020

We’re delighted at the news that grassroots music venues with a rateable value of below £51,000 will not have to pay business rates this year.

Published: 11 March 2020

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Advice to Members Following the Cancellation of SXSW Festival

Following the cancellation of this years’ SXSW festival in Austin Texas, members invited to the Showcase are advised that unless they are in possession of a valid ‘O’ or ‘P’ work visa they should not attend.

Published: 09 March 2020

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Members’ Discount For Two Week Course on Teaching Music Online

The Government Announces a Welcome Plan for the Self-Employed

MITC Launches Free Guide to Anxiety Relief and Self Isolation For Musicians

PRS for Music Launches Membership Emergency Relief Fund

Help Musicians Opens New Hardship Fund

Call For Government to Protect Musicians Gains Media Coverage Across the UK

Ask Your MP to Support Coronavirus Bill Amendment Protecting Freelancers

Government Promises That Help is Coming for the Self-Employed

Help Provide Immediate Support for Musicians in Real Financial Hardship

Arts Council England Offers Digital Assistance

FEU Calls for an Income Guarantee to Protect Workers in the Arts and Media

MU General Secretary Sends Personal Message to Members Affected by Coronavirus Outbreak

Income Tax Deferral for the Self-Employed

Bandcamp to Waive Own Revenue Shares This Friday

Arts Council Northern Ireland Publishes Coronavirus Response

Scottish Government Announces Support for Scottish Businesses

Arts Council Wales Outlines Response to COVID-19

Chancellor Offers Financial Support to Music Venues

MU Calls on Government to Properly Protect Freelance Workers

ACE, Creative Scotland and ACW Publish Advice in Response to the Coronavirus

Mental Health: Support for Musicians

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan Calls For Better Support for Freelance Workers

Budget 2020 Coronavirus Measures: What Do They Mean For You?

Government Announces Welcome Rates Relief for Music Venues in 2020

Advice to Members Following the Cancellation of SXSW Festival