Lobbying Update: Using Our Brexit Survey Issues to Press for Change In this lobbying update, MU Head of Communications and Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez discusses how we will be using the results from our Brexit survey when it closes next week, and other actions in Parliament. Published: 29 April 2021 Read more about Lobbying Update: Using Our Brexit Survey Issues to Press for Change
Social Media Blackout in Response to Sustained Racist Abuse Online The MU will be standing in solidarity with this weekend’s social media boycott, to highlight social media company inaction on eradicating online hate and racism. Published: 29 April 2021 Read more about Social Media Blackout in Response to Sustained Racist Abuse Online
Extend Government-Backed Pilots to Allow More Events to Go Ahead, Say MPs In the absence of a wider insurance scheme for the events industry, the Government liability that will enable pilot events to go ahead this summer should be extended to cover a wider range of events to prevent further cancellations, say MPs. Published: 29 April 2021 Read more about Extend Government-Backed Pilots to Allow More Events to Go Ahead, Say MPs
Over 5000 Musicians and Songwriters Back Fix Streaming Petition Over 5,000 musicians, songwriters and fans have signed the Fix Streaming petition, after 150 artists including Annie Lennox, Paul McCartney and Kate Bush made headlines calling on the Government to act. Published: 27 April 2021 Read more about Over 5000 Musicians and Songwriters Back Fix Streaming Petition
MU Welcomes Welsh Labour’s Commitment to Music Education in Senedd Elections We’re encouraging members to share this positive news from Welsh Labour, and ask Senedd election candidates about their party’s plans for music and the creative industries. Published: 27 April 2021 Read more about MU Welcomes Welsh Labour’s Commitment to Music Education in Senedd Elections
The Copyright Directive In this feature Mark Sutherland discusses the European Copyright Directive in detail, and looks at the vital actions that must take place to protect UK music industry in the post-Brexit environment. Published: 26 April 2021 Read more about The Copyright Directive
UK Music Survey Reveals 1 in 5 Disabled People Face Discrimination At Work UK Music is calling on music industry leaders to ensure disabled people and people with long term health conditions can realise their dreams by removing potential barriers to job opportunities. Published: 22 April 2021 Read more about UK Music Survey Reveals 1 in 5 Disabled People Face Discrimination At Work
Buying and Selling Used Musical Instruments For professional musicians, buying and selling musical instruments can be a challenging and time-consuming process. Neil Crossley examines the options and assesses how to ensure you get the best outcome with the minimum hassle. Published: 20 April 2021 Read more about Buying and Selling Used Musical Instruments
MU Signs Open Letter to The Prime Minister to Reject ‘Insulting’ Report and Act on Race Equality at Work 36 trade union general secretaries –including the MU’s – have signed a letter to the PM, calling on him to take a different path to that recommended in the report from the Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparities. Published: 20 April 2021 Read more about MU Signs Open Letter to The Prime Minister to Reject ‘Insulting’ Report and Act on Race Equality at Work
Calling On The PM to Put The Value of Music Back “In The Hands of Music Makers” An extraordinary roll call of music’s great and good call on the Prime Minister to reform the music industry by fixing streaming. Published: 19 April 2021 Read more about Calling On The PM to Put The Value of Music Back “In The Hands of Music Makers”
5 Things to Help Include More Autistic People at Gigs It’s World Autism Day on 2 April! To celebrate we asked Autism consultant and Heart N Soul creative associate Robyn Rocket to write a blog for us with a few pointers on how we can consider inclusion for Autistic musicians and listeners when the world opens again post-Covid. Published: 01 April 2021 Read more about 5 Things to Help Include More Autistic People at Gigs
Welsh Government Release Revised Version of Their Coronavirus Control Plan We’ve updated our advice to reflect the Welsh Government’s revised version of the Coronavirus Control Plan, which contains further information about the four alert levels and gives a timeline for the planned relaxation of restrictions up to 22 April. Published: 24 March 2021 Read more about Welsh Government Release Revised Version of Their Coronavirus Control Plan
MU Broadly Welcomes BBC Initiative While Highlighting Importance of Future Work for Musicians The MU responded today to the announcement by the BBC that the corporation is set to move a selection of its key departments and staff away from London with the aim of making it more inclusive of the entire UK. Published: 18 March 2021 Read more about MU Broadly Welcomes BBC Initiative While Highlighting Importance of Future Work for Musicians
A Lobbying Update for Wales: Exiting Alert Level 4 Lockdown MU Regional Organiser for Wales, Andy Warnock, describes our main areas of focus in Wales, following the First Minister’s announcement of an outline for the first steps out of alert level 4 lockdown in Wales. Published: 15 March 2021 Read more about A Lobbying Update for Wales: Exiting Alert Level 4 Lockdown
Women’s History Month: The Year I Used My Voice In a specially commissioned blog for Women’s History Month – acclaimed singer, songwriter and MU member Kelli-Leigh discusses her own experiences and asks the music industry, “Can you open up doors to talent that may have been closed to them previously?” Published: 08 March 2021 Read more about Women’s History Month: The Year I Used My Voice
MU Secures ATA Carnet Discounts for Touring Musicians Whilst the MU lobbied hard against Brexit, the agreement reached with the EU means that currently ATA Carnets (a travel document needed for instruments and equipment) are a reality for musicians working in the EU. Published: 11 February 2021 Read more about MU Secures ATA Carnet Discounts for Touring Musicians
EasyJet’s New Baggage Policy Continues to be a Bitter Blow to Musicians Despite our correspondence with airline EasyJet, we have been unable to persuade them to amend their new baggage policy, which will come into play from 10 February 2021. Published: 08 February 2021 Read more about EasyJet’s New Baggage Policy Continues to be a Bitter Blow to Musicians
MU Welcomes Recommendations on Live Music in Wales A new Senedd Committee report into live music in Wales reveals the problems facing musicians and venues, with recommendations to support, strengthen, and grow the sector. Published: 05 January 2021 Read more about MU Welcomes Recommendations on Live Music in Wales
Wales Moves to Alert Level Four An overview of how the Welsh Government’s alert level 4 restrictions, which have applied since midnight on 19 December, might affect musicians. Published: 22 December 2020 Read more about Wales Moves to Alert Level Four
Music Teaching in Wales to Move Online The Welsh Government has announced that all instrumental and vocal teaching should move online from 14 December if possible. Published: 11 December 2020 Read more about Music Teaching in Wales to Move Online
Advice for Music Teachers Updated for all of UK Over the last week we’ve updated our advice for music teachers working in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England to reflect changes to – and clarifications we’ve received on – the Coronavirus restrictions across the UK. Published: 30 November 2020 Read more about Advice for Music Teachers Updated for all of UK
Third Phase of Welsh Freelancer Fund to Open for Applications Members are encouraged to use the eligibility check and prepare their evidence in advance of the second phase of the Welsh Freelancer Fund opening at 10:00 am on Monday 23 November. Published: 20 November 2020 Read more about Third Phase of Welsh Freelancer Fund to Open for Applications
Welsh Government Announces Additional Funding for Cultural Recovery Fund The Welsh Government announced on Wednesday 11 November that it will be investing a further £10.7m in the Cultural Recovery Fund, including further money for the Freelancer Fund. Published: 11 November 2020 Read more about Welsh Government Announces Additional Funding for Cultural Recovery Fund
What the End of the Welsh Firebreak Could Mean for Musicians The Welsh Government’s Firebreak response to Covid-19 is due to end on Monday 9 November, here’s our summary of the new measures and how they’re likely to affect musicians. Published: 06 November 2020 Read more about What the End of the Welsh Firebreak Could Mean for Musicians
The Welsh Economic Resilience Fund The third round of funding from the Welsh Economic Resilience Fund opens for applications on the afternoon of Wednesday 28 October, members are urged to check the eligibility criteria and apply as soon as they are able. Published: 28 October 2020 Read more about The Welsh Economic Resilience Fund
Connecting with Audiences as an Orchestra During Lockdown In this blog, originally put together in August, Daniel Trodden – Principal Tuba for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales – talks us through what an orchestral musician’s working life could look like in the new normal. Published: 28 October 2020 Read more about Connecting with Audiences as an Orchestra During Lockdown
Further Clarification on Welsh Firebreak We’ve had further clarification from the Welsh Government on recordings, and broadcast and streamed performances being able to continue during the firebreak. Published: 23 October 2020 Read more about Further Clarification on Welsh Firebreak
Welsh Government Announces Two-Week Firebreak Lockdown On Monday 19 October, the Welsh Government announced that it will be introducing a two-week firebreak lockdown to try and bring Coronavirus under control in Wales. Published: 20 October 2020 Read more about Welsh Government Announces Two-Week Firebreak Lockdown
Second Phase of Welsh Freelancer Fund to Open for Applications Members are encouraged to use the eligibility check and prepare their evidence in advance of the second phase of the Welsh Freelancer Fund opening at 10:00 am on Monday 19 October. Published: 15 October 2020 Read more about Second Phase of Welsh Freelancer Fund to Open for Applications
Welsh Freelancer Fund Opens on Monday 5 October The Welsh Government’s Freelancer Fund opens for applications at 10:00 am on Monday 5 October and we would urge members to check the guidance and apply as soon as possible. Published: 02 October 2020 Read more about Welsh Freelancer Fund Opens on Monday 5 October
Government Allows Full Resumption of School Music Provision in England Visiting music teachers may return to schools, and ensemble rehearsals and performances can resume as long as health and safety measures are in place. Published: 02 September 2020 Read more about Government Allows Full Resumption of School Music Provision in England
US Visa Fee Increase as of October New ruling from US Department of Homeland Security imposes steep increase to O and P visa filing fees. Published: 02 September 2020 Read more about US Visa Fee Increase as of October
Further Clarification for Performances and Rehearsals of Non-Professional Musicians in England The Government has updated their Covid-19 guidance for those working in the performing arts, which clarifies that non-professional musicians can perform and rehearse in Covid-secure venues in England. Published: 28 August 2020 Read more about Further Clarification for Performances and Rehearsals of Non-Professional Musicians in England
A-Level Results to be Based on Teacher Assessed Grades We are pleased that the governments across all four nations of the UK will now be basing their A-level grades on teacher assessed grades. Published: 18 August 2020 Read more about A-Level Results to be Based on Teacher Assessed Grades
Prime Minister Announces Delay to Return of Indoor Live Music The Prime Minister has announced that the easing of coronavirus restrictions in England will be delayed due to a rise in Covid-19 cases. Published: 31 July 2020 Read more about Prime Minister Announces Delay to Return of Indoor Live Music
£53M of New Funding Announced for Arts and Culture in Wales The Welsh Government announced today that it will be investing £53 million to help Wales’ diverse culture sector deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Published: 30 July 2020 Read more about £53M of New Funding Announced for Arts and Culture in Wales
A Lobbying Update for Wales: Highlighting The Need for More Support Wales and South-West England Regional Organiser, Andy Warnock, reports on how the region has been, engaging and meeting with Welsh Government ministers and officials on a regular basis for several months, and what they hope to achieve. Published: 23 July 2020 Read more about A Lobbying Update for Wales: Highlighting The Need for More Support
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 Read more about MU Member's Response to the Guidance on Playing Wind and Brass Instruments
Live Performance Update Following New Government Guidance for England Outdoor live performance in front of audiences permitted in England under new Government performing arts guidance. Published: 10 July 2020 Read more about Live Performance Update Following New Government Guidance for England
Pride Month: The First Pride was a Riot Our Education and Equalities Officer, Rose Delcour‑Min, discusses how supporting the present and future of LGBTQ rights must involve recognising the ways that sexuality, gender and race intersect. Published: 23 June 2020 Read more about Pride Month: The First Pride was a Riot