OCTOBER | AGENDA
Industry calls for urgent measures after 69,000 staff lost during pandemic
Music industry campaigning and lobbying group UK Music ’ s annual report has illustrated the huge impact Covid-19 has had on the industry , with the pandemic having wiped out 35 % of the workforce in 2020 .
The organisation ’ s This Is Music 2021 report found the industry ’ s workforce fell from 197,000 in 2019 to 128,000 in 2020 , its economic contribution dropped 46 % from £ 5.8bn to £ 3.1bn in 2020 , and music exports were down 23 % in value from £ 2.9bn in 2019 to £ 2.3bn last year .
The report noted the impact of the huge number of festivals and concert tours being cancelled , studios and venues being forced to close , and musicians and crew unable to work .
In a sector where three quarters are self-employed , many were not covered by Government support schemes .
UK Music CEO Jamie Njoku- Goodwin said the report provided clear evidence of the need for swift Government action to help the music industry to continue rebuilding and return to growth post-pandemic .
He outlined five key areas where swift action from the Government would help the industry create thousands of new jobs :
· Tax incentives for the music industry to stimulate growth and jobs
· Urgent action to remove the barriers to touring the EU
· A permanent reduction in VAT rate on live music event tickets
· More funding and support for music exports
Jamie Njoku- Goodwin
· Boosting funding for music education and for the selfemployed to help secure the talent pipeline
In addition to UK Music ’ s research , UK Music also commissioned Public First to survey the views of the general public on the music industry . Among the findings were that 75 % of the public are proud of the UK music industry and its heritage , 59 % believe music improves the UK ’ s reputation overseas and 74 % said music is important to their quality of life . Njoku-Goodwin said ,
“ With the right support , the UK music industry can help drive the post-pandemic recovery .”
Culture secretary Nadine Dorries said , “ The UK music industry is one of our country ’ s great national assets , and I give my commitment that the Government will continue to back it every step of the way .”
Industry views
" The more people move , the more they ' re helping . I literally need you to jump up and down . Because if you don ’ t , then the lights go out ."
Coldplay ’ s Chris Martin announces a 30-date world stadium tour that will involve environmental measures including the use of kinetic venue flooring , to ensure tour emissions are 50 % less than the level produced by the band ’ s last outing in 2016-2017 .
“ We live in an age where we shouldn ’ t question anyone ’ s choice or decisions as to what they are or how they live their life . My post was my frustration leaking out that some people now feel they have to sign off with a pronoun , not necessarily just because they want to . I apologise for the way I said it and how it came across .”
Vicky Hungerford , director of the Bloodstock Open Air festival , apologises after a tweet about pronouns provoked a backlash .
“ The Government likes to use the phrase ‘ worldleading ’, but our festival industry in the UK is truly world-leading .”
Association of Independent Festivals CEO Paul Reed .
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