News & Stories for Musicians

A baby is held by their mums, one holds her arms around the baby, while one reaches around the baby to hold the other mums arms

TUC Call For Furlough Scheme to Open for Working Parents

The TUC have released a report calling for a temporary legal right to access the furlough scheme for parents, those with caring responsibilities and people who cannot work because they are required to shield.

Published: 22 January 2021

Two guitars resting in the grass amongst various objects like blankets and colourful pillows which indicate a festival campsite.

Government Must Support Live Music Following Glastonbury Cancellation

Following the announcement that Glastonbury 2021 has been cancelled, we’re calling on the Government to clarify their current consideration on insurance schemes for festivals, to save further pre-emptive cancellations.

Published: 21 January 2021

Black and white photograph from backstage at a festival. We can see a number of musicians playing on stage from behind, and a large outdoor audience facing inwards.

Government Insurance for Music Festivals a Possibility

In welcome news, Minister for Culture Caroline Dineage confirmed that she is “looking into” possible insurance for music festivals, which would allow them to plan for summer 2021.

Published: 19 January 2021

Make a Noise This Wednesday 13 January #InvestInMusicians

Call on the Government to invest in musicians, so that you can continue to make music during the pandemic and bounce back as the industry gets on its feet.

Published: 12 January 2021

Photograph of a keyboard, with a webcam set up over the keys. It appears to be a live stream.

An Urgent Letter to the Chancellor

This week’s lobbying update discusses our letter to Rishi Sunak, requesting that he urgently looks at the situation for musicians.

Published: 06 January 2021

Jazz saxophonist performing outdoors at a music festival.

DCMS Select Committee Festivals Inquiry Raises Crucial Issues for MU Members

An evidence session held today as part of the DCMS’ select committee festivals inquiry raised issues such as how the Cultural Recovery Fund does not benefit musicians, Brexit concerns, and the need for a Covid-proof insurance scheme.

Published: 05 January 2021

Photograph a vintage looking recording studio.

Member Petitions for Glasgow Recording Studios to be in Covid Business Rates Relief Scheme

Members in Glasgow and surrounding areas are encouraged to sign this petition calling on Glasgow City Council to include music studios in the 100% Covid council tax relief awarded to retail, leisure and hospitality.

Published: 04 January 2021

Photograph of what appears to be an empty theatre pit set up for musicians, with a drum, double bass and electronic keyboard set out.

Unions Call for Exemption for Socially Distanced Theatre

Together with Equity and Bectu, the MU is calling on the government to exempt theatre productions from the Tier 3 regulations and to allow them to open to socially distanced audiences.

Published: 18 December 2020

MU Letter to Treasury: The Government Must Invest in Musicians

We’re using your responses to the latest MU Covid-19 Impact Poll to let the Government know that they must invest in musicians.

Published: 17 December 2020

A photograph of a retro looking radio against a grey background.

Recorded Background Music Now Permitted in Scottish Hospitality Venues

The Scottish Government have changed their Coronavirus restriction rules to allow recorded background music to be played at hospitality venues throughout out the five tiers.

Published: 16 December 2020

Photograph of a band performing on a small stage, we can see a guitarist and someone blurred but at a keyboard.

Cultural Unions Submit Freedom of Information Request to West Midlands Mayor Andy Street

Midlands cultural sector trade unions have called upon West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, to declare what discussions he has had with the DCMS Minister, Oliver Dowden, in order to protect our vital local cultural sector.

Published: 09 December 2020

Blurred stage, there are purple stage lights and the suggestion of musicians, seen as if looking up from the wooden boarded floor at the bottom.

Changes to Universal Credit Minimum Floor Will Stay in Place

In welcome news for the self-employed, today’s Spending Review from the Government confirms that changes to the Universal Credit Minimum Income Floor will stay in place.

Published: 26 November 2020

The MU Calls on Ministers to Issue Clearer Guidance on Out-of-School Music Learning Under the New Tiered Restrictions

The Musicians’ Union has written to the Government to request more pragmatic and clearer guidance for instrumental and vocal learning during the next period of restrictions in England.

Published: 24 November 2020

Photograph of an empty stage, looking out from the back towards where the audience would be, with bright lights shining down.

Figures Reveal UK Music Industry’s Pre-Covid £5.8bn Boost to Economy

UK Music’s annual Music By Numbers report reveals the £5.8bn boost to the economy before Covid-19’s catastrophic blow – and renewed calls for Government action to protect the industry.

Published: 18 November 2020

Photograph of a young mother, playing on a guitar whilst being distracted by a toddler who is reaching out to the instrument. They are both smiling.

Discrimination Against Women in SEISS to go Under Judicial Review

Campaign organisation Pregnant Then Screwed have pointed out that self-employed women who have taken maternity leave between 2016 and 2019 will miss out in the calculation of their SEISS entitlement

Published: 10 November 2020

A photograph of a closed box office, shutters are drawn.

Music in Crisis in Northern Ireland

We’re publishing an open letter in response to the recent announcement from the Northern Irish Executive that effectively bans live music in Northern Ireland.

Published: 29 September 2020

Photograph of Louise, wearing a dark, professional looking shirt and smiling whilst holding a wind instrument. The background is white, bright and sunny.

Misconceptions on Wind Players Have Been Corrected, But the Damage is Done

Member and orchestral, theatre and chamber musician Louise Braithwaite discusses the effect of coronavirus and misinformation on wind players, and the wider industry.

Published: 10 September 2020

A woman in a sunny field full of flowers raises her clarinet above her head, arm outstretched in a celebratory posture. She's wearing a red dress and has long curly hair.

Restrictions Around Singing, Wind and Brass Instruments Relaxed in England

We welcome the news that restrictions around Singing, Wind and Brass Instruments in England will be relaxed.

Published: 14 August 2020

A specialist in the installation of gig stage wearing a 'Staff' t-shirt

Let The Music Play Campaign Launches Second Phase

UK Music’s Let The Music Play campaign has launched its second phase, calling for further support for the live sector during these difficult times.

Published: 04 August 2020

MU Member's Response to the Guidance on Playing Wind and Brass Instruments

Richard Steggall has written to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, in response to the recent announcements regarding the guidance on playing wind and brass instruments.

Published: 10 July 2020

musician with a guitar on the stage with the backlight

Concerns on New Arts Package Raised in Parliament

The Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Jo Stevens MP, asked an urgent question to the Minister for Culture, Caroline Dinenage MP, in parliament today on the subject of the arts package announced this week by the Government.

Published: 07 July 2020

Empty seats in the The Shakespeare's Globe theatre

The MU Cautiously Welcomes Government Road Map for Live Sector

While the five-step road map for getting theatres open is welcome, without sector specific financial support, many theatres will struggle to reopen their doors and much of the talent will be forced out of the profession.

Published: 26 June 2020

a mother holding her daughter on her shoulders

Legal Action Against the Chancellor for Indirect Sex Discrimination Supported by MU

Pregnancy rights charity, Pregnant then Screwed, with support from Doughty Street Chambers and law firm Leigh Day, is threatening legal proceedings against the Chancellor for discriminating against women in the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

Published: 12 June 2020

Photo of a young student practicing the violin.

UK Classical Music Sector Highlighted in Letter to Secretary of State

The MU, Association of British Orchestras, BPI, Ivors Academy, Music Publishers Association and PRS for Music have written an open letter to Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport today, to highlight the importance of the UK's classical music sector.

Published: 12 June 2020

Our Survey Results Highlight a Growing Threat to Theatre Musicians’ Livelihoods

The results of our survey of theatre musicians across the UK has confirmed the increasing financial hardship that our world-famous musical theatre industry will face in the coming months.

Published: 29 May 2020

Photo of a microphone on an empty stage, under a spotlight

An Open Letter to Theatre and Performance Makers

Organisations from across the UK released an open letter earlier this week, addressed to all the freelance and self-employed workers involved in theatre.

Published: 29 May 2020

Photo of a woman playing drums in isolation

Self Employed Income Support Scheme Extended

We welcome the Government’s announcement that the Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will now open for a second round of applications in August.

Published: 29 May 2020

Photograph of a record player, stack of records with earphones on top.

Twitter Listening Party Raises over £6,000

The Broken Record Appeal, a Twitter listening party held by Tim Burgess over the weekend, smashed it’s fundraising target to raise over £6000 in funds. The money will be split between the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund and the

Published: 27 May 2020

Over Three-Quarters of Theatre Musicians Face Hardship if Unable to Work Until September

We surveyed our members who work in theatre, and discovered that over 77% of those that responded felt they were likely to be in financial hardship if they aren’t able to return to work until September.

Published: 18 May 2020

Photograph of a person working at a recording studio deck.

Getting Recording Session Musicians Back to Work

To start developing proposals to get UK recording session musicians back to work the MU is meeting with representatives from the major recording studios and media ensemble contractors.

Published: 12 May 2020

HMRC to Begin Contacting Those Eligible for the Self Employment Income Support Scheme

HMRC is inviting those who believe they may be eligible for the Government’s Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) to complete a quick online check.

Published: 06 May 2020

Planning for Recovery: How We Will Get Music Up, Running and Excelling Again

MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge address how, “Whilst the immediate concern has to be doing everything we can to stay safe and well and cope with the seismic financial loss, it’s also important to plan for a recovery.”

Published: 16 April 2020

Making marks on a sheet music in front of a piano

New Sustaining Creativity Fund from PRS Foundation

PRS Foundation is offering grants to support artists, songwriters and composers in creating, developing and music making – however that looks in our current times.

Published: 06 April 2020

Music Industry Issues Call to Chancellor for Help During Coronavirus Outbreak

Music industry and charity leaders – including the MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge – have signed a joint open letter to the Chancellor, asking for a package of urgent measures to help the crisis-hit sector fight the impact of the coronavirus.

Published: 20 March 2020

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TUC Call For Furlough Scheme to Open for Working Parents

Government Must Support Live Music Following Glastonbury Cancellation

Government Insurance for Music Festivals a Possibility

Make a Noise This Wednesday 13 January #InvestInMusicians

An Urgent Letter to the Chancellor

DCMS Select Committee Festivals Inquiry Raises Crucial Issues for MU Members

Member Petitions for Glasgow Recording Studios to be in Covid Business Rates Relief Scheme

Unions Call for Exemption for Socially Distanced Theatre

MU Letter to Treasury: The Government Must Invest in Musicians

Recorded Background Music Now Permitted in Scottish Hospitality Venues

Cultural Unions Submit Freedom of Information Request to West Midlands Mayor Andy Street

Changes to Universal Credit Minimum Floor Will Stay in Place

The MU Calls on Ministers to Issue Clearer Guidance on Out-of-School Music Learning Under the New Tiered Restrictions

Figures Reveal UK Music Industry’s Pre-Covid £5.8bn Boost to Economy

Discrimination Against Women in SEISS to go Under Judicial Review

Music in Crisis in Northern Ireland

Misconceptions on Wind Players Have Been Corrected, But the Damage is Done

Restrictions Around Singing, Wind and Brass Instruments Relaxed in England

Let The Music Play Campaign Launches Second Phase

MU Member's Response to the Guidance on Playing Wind and Brass Instruments

Concerns on New Arts Package Raised in Parliament

The MU Cautiously Welcomes Government Road Map for Live Sector

Legal Action Against the Chancellor for Indirect Sex Discrimination Supported by MU

UK Classical Music Sector Highlighted in Letter to Secretary of State

Our Survey Results Highlight a Growing Threat to Theatre Musicians’ Livelihoods

An Open Letter to Theatre and Performance Makers

Self Employed Income Support Scheme Extended

Twitter Listening Party Raises over £6,000

Over Three-Quarters of Theatre Musicians Face Hardship if Unable to Work Until September

Getting Recording Session Musicians Back to Work

HMRC to Begin Contacting Those Eligible for the Self Employment Income Support Scheme

Planning for Recovery: How We Will Get Music Up, Running and Excelling Again

New Sustaining Creativity Fund from PRS Foundation

Music Industry Issues Call to Chancellor for Help During Coronavirus Outbreak