UK Music calls on Tory Leadership Contenders to support music industry

UK Music chief executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin has written to the UK’s Conservative leadership contenders Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak urging them to support the British music industry.

In his letters to each of the candidates Njoku-Goodwin wrote: ‘The UK Music industry is a key national asset that generates huge social, economic and reputational benefits for the UK and is a source of pride and joy for millions across our country… We need to work in partnership with government to ensure the UK music industry continues to lead the world stage.’

An industry-funded body, UK Music, represents the collective interests of the British music industry. In the letter, sent yesterday (4 August) sets out six pledges the organisation is hoping the two candidates will adhere to:

• retaining a ‘global gold standard’ for copyright protection
• cutting the red tape facing UK musicians and crew touring the EU
• supporting UK music globally by boosting the funding for export schemes
• creating a fiscal incentive to encourage new music production
• reducing the tax burden on music industry businesses
• protecting the talent pipeline and securing the future of music education

The six pledges, if followed, are intended to help the UK music sector continue to recover from the pandemic and help it boost the UK economy and exports. Following the resignation of current UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the his successor will be chosen on 5 September. UK Music hopes that they will follow these proposed pledges but neither Sunak nor Truss has provided a response so far.

The letter to Liz Truss can be read here and the letter to Rishi Sunak can be read here.

You can find out more about UK Music here.