News & Stories for Musicians

An Update on Local Authority Budget Cuts in the Midlands

We share a statement from the Midlands TUC Creative and Leisure Industries Committee on severe cultural budget cuts at Birmingham City Council, and a petition opposing 100% cuts to the cultural budget at Nottingham City Council.

Published: 26 February 2024

Silhouette of audience watching musicians on stage at a theatre.

MU Lobbies Department for Communities for Increased Arts Funding in Northern Ireland

We have written to the newly appointed minister for the Department for Communities to ask that he consider using some of the money for a restored Assembly to ensure that the arts and culture sector of Northern Ireland is supported to grow.

Published: 26 February 2024

Silhouette of rappers with microphone in hand on stage.

MU Responses to Kneecap Funding Withdrawal

The MU is deeply troubled by reports that rap group Kneecap have had their MEGS grant blocked by the UK Government. We have written to the Business and Trade Secretary regarding this intervention for the opportunity to discuss the matter further.

Published: 23 February 2024

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Fix Streaming: Government Announces Equitable Remuneration Working Group Dominated by Labels

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl evaluates why the newly announced equitable remuneration working group is unbalanced, and how this directly impacts music creators and the fix streaming campaign.

Published: 22 February 2024

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The Damage Caused by a Decade of Arts Funding Cuts

The MU assesses the severe economic, social and cultural damage caused by a decade of Tory arts funding cuts.

Published: 12 February 2024

Aerial view of Stormont Parliament buildings.

MU Calls for Newly Restored Assembly in Northern Ireland to Address Arts Funding Imbalance

As public funding for the arts in Northern Ireland remains low against the rest of the UK and Republic of Ireland, MU Acting Regional Organiser Sam Dunkley has written to parties at Stormont urging them to consider the urgent need for investment.

Published: 06 February 2024

Empty classroom with piano and chalk blackboard.

MU Pushes Government to Support Teachers’ Pensions and Increase Music Hub Funding

We have written to the Department for Education for a second time, asking it to rethink its proposal to end essential top-up funding for teachers’ pensions in Music Hubs. Alongside this, we continue to highlight the significant overall funding shortfall facing music education.

Published: 02 February 2024

A pair of headphones and mobile phone streaming music on a wooden table.

Music Streaming Transparency Code Announced by Government

The Musicians' Union is one of 12 signatories to the Code of Good Practice on Transparency in Music Streaming. 

Published: 31 January 2024

Silhouette of a young woman playing guitar alone in the dark.

MU Welcomes Recommendations Made in Government’s Misogyny in Music Report

The report, which was based on an inquiry into what misogynistic attitudes existed in the music industry and why, concluded that much work is still needed to tackle discrimination and the harassment and sexual abuse of women.

Published: 30 January 2024

Musicians’ Union Strike Action at English National Opera Makes Headlines in BBC News, Guardian, Telegraph and More

Did you see the news? On 17 January, the Musicians’ Union announced the first strike by members for 44 years.

Published: 23 January 2024

Silhouette of a rap artist on stage. He performs to the crowd against smoke and bright lights.

MU Supports Art Not Evidence Campaign

The campaign believes that art, and particularly rap music, should be protected as a fundamental form of freedom of expression, and should not be used to unfairly implicate individuals in criminal charges.

Published: 04 January 2024

General Secretary Naomi Pohl stands in discussion outside of the Royal Opera House

2023 End of Year Round Up

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl reports back on the work that the Union has done through 2023, as well as setting out some of MU’s intentions for 2024, and more general food for thought about the music industry.

Published: 30 December 2023

MU Regional Organiser for Wales and South West England Andy Warnock working on a laptop at this year's Wales Members' Day event.

Welsh Government Draft Budget Cuts Music, Arts and Union Learning Funds

The MU will be writing to Welsh Government and UK Ministers as music and arts face a 10% cut, and local culture funding is cut by a third in Wales’ draft budget.

Published: 21 December 2023

Close up of bank notes from the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Email Your MSP to Support Arts Funding in the Scottish Government Draft Budget

The proposed increase in culture and heritage funding is welcome, but falls far short of both what the music sector needs and what was promised.

Published: 20 December 2023

Inside of the circular, Scottish Parliament interior debating chamber.

Members in Scotland: Write to Your MSP Now in Support of Arts Funding

Call on the Scottish Government to deliver the £100m arts and culture funding pledged by the First Minister earlier this year.

Published: 14 December 2023

Female teacher sat with a teenage student at school. She is learning to play the keyboard and is wearing headphones.

MU Welcomes New Lords Education Report

The report’s recommendations include ways to reverse the decline in arts subjects in schools for 11 to 16-year-olds.

Published: 13 December 2023

Naomi Pohl and Thangam Debbonaire at this year's Labour Party Conference.

MU Political Fund Ballot: Please Vote Yes

The MU is legally required to ballot its members every ten years on whether it should continue to have a political fund. Papers will be sent out this week so please look out for yours and return it as soon as you can.

Published: 13 December 2023

The sun shines on the outside of the Stormont building under a blue sky.

MU Attends All Party Group on Arts at Stormont

At the All Party Ground on Arts that was held at Stormont at the end of November, MU Acting Regional Organiser for Scotland and Northern Ireland Sam Dunkley heard reports on two strategies that will be out for consultation in the spring.

Published: 07 December 2023

Chairs in a brightly lit but empty classroom

MU Challenges Government on Music Education Funding Shortfall

Working with Music Mark and the Independent Society of Musicians, we have written urgently to Gillian Keegan, Secretary of State for Education, asking for increased funding for music education.

Published: 06 December 2023

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MU Action on the Climate Emergency

The MU’s new Climate Emergency Action Group have now met twice, and are looking inwardly and outwardly at ways the Union, the wider music industry and the Government can address the climate emergency.

Published: 16 November 2023

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Over 100 Letters Urge ENO Management to Save ENO as a Full-Time Company with a Full-Time Orchestra

Add your voice to the call, by writing to English National Opera’s management urging them to reconsider proposals to axe 19 jobs and go part-time.

Published: 16 November 2023

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Royal Opera House Pay Offer Put to Members in the Orchestra

Musicians in the Royal Opera House orchestra campaigning for their pandemic pay cut to be restored are considering a new pay offer from management.

Published: 15 November 2023

Young Black female musician singing into a studio mic with pop shield in a recording studio.

12 Ways to Make the Music Industry More Inclusive, According to the Musicians' Census

Our Musicians from the Global Majority Insight Report reveals multiple issues that the music industry and Government need to tackle to make the industry more diverse and inclusive.

Published: 13 November 2023

New Musicians’ Census Report Outlines the Level of Racism and Discrimination Still in Music Industry

The Musicians from the Global Majority Insight Report demonstrates that discrimination is still an unfortunate reality for musicians from the Global Majority, with 85% saying they had witnessed or experienced some form of discrimination.

Published: 13 November 2023

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MU Executive Committee Releases Statement on Israel and Palestine

The MU’s Executive Committee have agreed today on a donation to the Red Cross to support humanitarian efforts on the ground in Israel and Palestine, as well as releasing the following statement.

Published: 09 November 2023

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TUC’s Creative and Leisure Industries Committee to Host Open Meeting

MU London Regional Organiser Jamie Pullman will be speaking at the event on Monday 27 November, which brings industry professionals together to discuss pay and jobs in the arts and culture sector. Members are invited to attend, either in person or online.

Published: 08 November 2023

Interior of the National Rail Ticket office in St Pancras, London.

Victory for RMT’s Campaign to Save Ticket Offices

Government has withdrawn all plans to close rail ticket offices, following the passenger watchdogs Transport Focus and London Travelwatch objecting to the proposals in their entirety. Thank you to all MU members who responded to the consultation.

Published: 08 November 2023

Singer on stage in front of a microphone on a stand and large audience, in blue light.

This Is Music Report Confirms Significance of Music Industry’s Contribution to UK Economy in 2022

UK Music’s annual economic report, This Is Music 2023, states that the music industry’s contribution to the UK economy was £6.7 billion (GVA) in 2022.

Published: 07 November 2023

Aerial view of Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.

Scottish Parliament Debates Arts Funding and Commits to New Funding From 2024 

Acting Regional Organiser for Scotland and Northern Ireland Sam Dunkely reports from a Scottish Parliament debate on arts funding. 

Published: 31 October 2023

A quartet plays in an entrance foyer, displaying

Email Your MP to Keep Northern Ballet Music Live

Northern Ballet Sinfonia musicians are campaigning to protect their jobs and keep Northern Ballet Live. Email your MP for support.

Published: 31 October 2023

Naomi Pohl talks animatedly to two visitors to the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden

MU Calls on Government to Support Orchestras Affected by Arts Council England Funding Cuts

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl has written to the Chancellor and Culture Secretary calling for support for Northern Ballet, English National Opera, Royal Opera House and the wider sector.

Published: 30 October 2023

Aerial view of main chamber of Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.

Scotland Arts Funding Briefing for Musicians and MSPs

MSPs will be debating arts funding in the Scottish Parliament this week. Here’s what you and your MSP need to know.

Published: 24 October 2023

Black and white silhouette of singer under a spotlight with both arms raised and a microphone in one hand.

The Legacy of Black British Music and Harmonious Activism: From Windrush to Grime

October is Black History Month and the MU has partnered with Scottish charity Intercultural Youth Scotland to bring you this guest blog from one of its members Ash Harper, which explores the relationship between Black British Music and activism.

Published: 20 October 2023

Members to Receive Ballot Papers Imminently

Executive Committee (EC) and Regional Committee (RC) Ballots are currently underway, asking MU members to elect representatives from the membership to represent then at Regional and Executive level. Ballots have been posted out and should be arriving shortly.

Published: 20 October 2023

Busy pink desk with notebook, pens, mobile phone, coffee cup

Notice of Political Fund Review Ballot

The MU is required to ballot its members every 10 years on the continuation of its Political Fund. The deadline to complete the latest ballot is in January 2024.

Published: 18 October 2023

Photo of the centre of Aberdeen, the City where this years 2023 SNP conference was held

Scottish First Minister Commits to Doubling Funding For Arts and Culture Over Next Five Years

The MU welcomes the news, which offers hope of a more secure future at a time when UK cultural institutions are struggling with rising costs and jobs. We look forward to further details on the proposals.

Published: 18 October 2023

Musicians Approached to Record For Ballet Accompaniment or Opera Backing Track Asked to Contact MU

We have recently reported on how Northern Ballet are being forced to consider using recorded music instead of live orchestra. Our Recording and Broadcasting department are keen to hear from any musicians approached for recording backing tracks.

Published: 17 October 2023

Panorama of Deansgate area, Manchester, backed by the Deansgate Square skyscraper complex.

MU Partners with Beyond The Music Conference by Curating Panel on Music and Foreign Policy

The panel will discuss creating a UK Parliament for the music industry, with speakers including MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, and Chair of The Ivors Academy and founder of the Broken Record campaign, Tom Gray.

Published: 12 October 2023

Light shines through the glass ceiling dome, with lines that spiral out in a hub like fashion

Why I Became an MU Education Rep

Find out more about the history of the MU Education Reps, and the essential part they’ve been playing since the role was created in 2013. In this feature MU Education Section Committee member Maxim Rowlands talks us through the story as it aligns with his own personal journey.

Published: 10 October 2023

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl and Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Thangam Debbonaire MP at the Labour Party Conference 2023

Labour Outlines Plans to Champion Music Education, Fix EU Touring and Promote Creative Spaces at Labour Party Conference 2023

Shadow Secretary of State Thangam Debbonaire announces first ever first national cultural infrastructure plan for a future Labour government.

Published: 10 October 2023

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An Update on Local Authority Budget Cuts in the Midlands

MU Lobbies Department for Communities for Increased Arts Funding in Northern Ireland

MU Responses to Kneecap Funding Withdrawal

Fix Streaming: Government Announces Equitable Remuneration Working Group Dominated by Labels

The Damage Caused by a Decade of Arts Funding Cuts

MU Calls for Newly Restored Assembly in Northern Ireland to Address Arts Funding Imbalance

MU Pushes Government to Support Teachers’ Pensions and Increase Music Hub Funding

Music Streaming Transparency Code Announced by Government

MU Welcomes Recommendations Made in Government’s Misogyny in Music Report

Musicians’ Union Strike Action at English National Opera Makes Headlines in BBC News, Guardian, Telegraph and More

MU Supports Art Not Evidence Campaign

2023 End of Year Round Up

Welsh Government Draft Budget Cuts Music, Arts and Union Learning Funds

Email Your MSP to Support Arts Funding in the Scottish Government Draft Budget

Members in Scotland: Write to Your MSP Now in Support of Arts Funding

MU Welcomes New Lords Education Report

MU Political Fund Ballot: Please Vote Yes

MU Attends All Party Group on Arts at Stormont

MU Challenges Government on Music Education Funding Shortfall

MU Action on the Climate Emergency

Over 100 Letters Urge ENO Management to Save ENO as a Full-Time Company with a Full-Time Orchestra

Royal Opera House Pay Offer Put to Members in the Orchestra

12 Ways to Make the Music Industry More Inclusive, According to the Musicians' Census

New Musicians’ Census Report Outlines the Level of Racism and Discrimination Still in Music Industry

MU Executive Committee Releases Statement on Israel and Palestine

TUC’s Creative and Leisure Industries Committee to Host Open Meeting

Victory for RMT’s Campaign to Save Ticket Offices

This Is Music Report Confirms Significance of Music Industry’s Contribution to UK Economy in 2022

Scottish Parliament Debates Arts Funding and Commits to New Funding From 2024

Email Your MP to Keep Northern Ballet Music Live

MU Calls on Government to Support Orchestras Affected by Arts Council England Funding Cuts

Scotland Arts Funding Briefing for Musicians and MSPs

The Legacy of Black British Music and Harmonious Activism: From Windrush to Grime

Members to Receive Ballot Papers Imminently

Notice of Political Fund Review Ballot

Scottish First Minister Commits to Doubling Funding For Arts and Culture Over Next Five Years

Musicians Approached to Record For Ballet Accompaniment or Opera Backing Track Asked to Contact MU

MU Partners with Beyond The Music Conference by Curating Panel on Music and Foreign Policy

Why I Became an MU Education Rep

Labour Outlines Plans to Champion Music Education, Fix EU Touring and Promote Creative Spaces at Labour Party Conference 2023

Scottish Parliament Debates Arts Funding and Commits to New Funding From 2024 