Musicians’ Union

15 posts

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Music organisations back demand for politicians to end the Arts Apocalypse in UK schools

The Musicians’ Union, Black Lives In Music and Music For Youth are among fourteen organisations calling on UK politicians to address the crisis facing arts education in schools. They say that a downgrading of arts subjects and funding cuts across the board have created an ‘Arts Apocalypse’…

Chris Cooke • 13 May 2024

UK government has “ignored the voices of women” in response to Misogyny In Music report, says MU

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Musicians’ Union • 2 min read

UK government has “ignored the voices of women” in response to Misogyny In Music report, says MU

The UK government last week issued a response to the recent Misogyny In Music report that was prepared by MPs earlier this year, rejecting all recommendations for it to provide greater legal protections. The Musicians’ Union has now urged the government to “rethink its position”…

Andy Malt • 22 Apr 2024

Setlist Podcast: Make big shows fund grassroots music, politicians told

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Setlist • 3 min read

Setlist Podcast: Make big shows fund grassroots music, politicians told

UK politicians hear possible solutions to the grassroots venues crisis, Nirvana logo dispute back in court…

Andy Malt & Chris Cooke • 29 Mar 2024

Discrimination, lower pay and shorter careers are the norm for female musicians in the UK, study shows

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Industry Initiatives • 2 min read

Discrimination, lower pay and shorter careers are the norm for female musicians in the UK, study shows

The latest Musicians’ Census report - based on responses from nearly 6000 working musicians in the UK - highlights disparities between the experiences of women and men in the industry. Gender and age discrimination are higher, while women are paid significantly less than their male counterparts…

Andy Malt • 27 Mar 2024

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Jeremy Hunt • 4 min read

Music industry responds to UK budget

The UK Chancellor Of The Exchequer Jeremy Hunt yesterday announced the government’s latest budget. Numerous music industry organisations have issued responses, welcoming an extension of orchestra tax relief but criticising the continued lack of a reduction in VAT on ticket sales…

CMU • 07 Mar 2024

MU says blocking of Kneecap funding may breach Human Rights Act

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Kneecap • 2 min read

MU says blocking of Kneecap funding may breach Human Rights Act

Earlier this month UK Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch blocked MEGS funding for Belfast hip hop group Kneecap because of the politics of their music. In a new letter to the minister, Musicians’ Union General Secretary Noami Pohl says that intervention may breach the Human Rights Act…

Chris Cooke • 26 Feb 2024

Setlist Podcast: When arts funding and politics collide

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Setlist • 4 min read

Setlist Podcast: When arts funding and politics collide

Kneecap threaten to sue the British government for blocking funding to expand their international career, and MLC goes legal over mechanical royalties on its free service…

Andy Malt & Chris Cooke • 16 Feb 2024

Musicians' Union reluctantly reaches deal with English National Opera over orchestra cutbacks

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English National Opera • 2 min read

Musicians' Union reluctantly reaches deal with English National Opera over orchestra cutbacks

An agreement has been reached between the English National Opera and the Musicians’ Union over cutbacks to its orchestra - the MU says that although it has secured an improved deal, the changes remain significant and its members accepted the new agreement with “heavy hearts”…

Chris Cooke • 15 Feb 2024

LGBTQ+ musicians in the UK face high levels of discrimination and sexual harassment, new report finds

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Musicians’ Union • 2 min read

LGBTQ+ musicians in the UK face high levels of discrimination and sexual harassment, new report finds

Rates of discrimination and sexual harassment are high for LGBTQ+ musicians, while financial pressures also cause barriers to progression in the music industry. These are among the findings of a new report published by the Musicians’ Union, Help Musicians and Come Play With Me…

Andy Malt • 07 Feb 2024

Industry comments on UK Parliament’s Misogyny In Music report

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Industry Issues • 7 min read

Industry comments on UK Parliament’s Misogyny In Music report

Music industry organisations including UK Music, the BPI, MMF, Black Lives In Music, and the Musicians’ Union comment on the Misogyny In Music report published by the UK Parliament’s Women And Women And Equalities Committee this morning…

CMU • 30 Jan 2024

ENO singers join orchestra members in strike action

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ENO • 1 min read

ENO singers join orchestra members in strike action

The English National Opera’s chorus section has joined orchestra members and other music staff in agreeing to strike at the beginning of February. The move is in protest against plans to make them redundant, and then rehire them for just six months of the year…

Andy Malt • 18 Jan 2024

MU welcomes call for cultural visa waiver by the domestic advisory groups put in place by post-Brexit agreement

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Brexit • 2 min read

MU welcomes call for cultural visa waiver by the domestic advisory groups put in place by post-Brexit agreement

The Musicians’ Union has welcomed a statement from the UK and EU post-Brexit ‘domestic advisory groups’ calling for the creation of a cultural visa waiver to help British artists touring Europe…

Chris Cooke • 16 Nov 2023