MPs from across the political divide have joined forces to call on PM Boris Johnson and the Government to back plans to help the UK music industry get back on its feet.
A total of 22 MPs from the main political parties have signed a Commons motion outlining the vital support needed by the music industry, which contributed £5.8 billion a year to the economy pre-Covid-19.
The MPs say many freelancers and self-employed workers - who make up around three-quarters of the 200,000 in the music industry - have been without work since March 2020.
The cross-party group of politicians highlighted how around 70% of musicians lost over three-quarters of their work due to the “profound challenge” of Covid-19 restrictions.
The MPs say the workers and businesses that make up the music industry’s ecosystem “are a national asset who will be critical to the recovery”.
In their motion, MPs are calling on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to:
1. Establish a Government-backed insurance scheme to pave the way for live music events to proceed.
2. Extend existing Government support to match the extension of Covid-19 restrictions.
3. Ensure parity across UK Nations and Regions regarding extension of the 100% business rate relief.
4. Continue the VAT freeze at 5% for cultural tickets beyond September.
5. Give additional support to freelancers.
“It’s welcome to see support for the UK music industry from MPs right across the political spectrum. Now it’s vital that this cross-party support is converted into action by the Government,” said UK Music chief executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin.
“We are determined to play our part in helping drive the post-pandemic recovery and want to see live music events back as soon as possible.
“With the right support from the Government, the music industry can get back on its feet and deliver a summer of live music and create thousands of jobs."