UK Music Launches Industry Manifesto

UK Music, the umbrella body for the commercial music industry, has launched an industry wide manifesto ahead of the UK 2015 General Election, aimed at all political parties and policy makers. The document offers ideas and initiatives that would support and grow the music economy in the UK. In the manifesto, UK Music identifies the five priority areas for the next Parliament and Government to focus on in order to maintain the industry’s £3.8 billion contribution to the nation’s balance sheet (i.e. GDP).

1. Strong copyright framework
2. Access to finance and fiscal incentives
3. Skills pipeline
4. International growth strategy
5. Better regulation based on good evidence

The UK Music Manifesto 2015 brings together industry wide requirements that have been developed to sustain and grow the whole industry, from artists, musicians, songwriters and composers, to record labels, music managers, music publishers, studio producers and music licensing organisations. This document has been formulated internally by UK Music and its members to enable structured conversations with all political parties ahead of the election.

Andy Heath, Chairman of UK Music said; “Growth in the music industry is at 9%. As we approach 7th May, when the country will decide the political future of our nation for the next five years, we need to ensure that the next Government will continue to enable and improve growth in our sector.

Fundamentally, we need the next Government to support music businesses who rely on a strong copyright regime, in particular as part of relevant debates in Europe. We present this document to help inform the election and political debate, and look forward to working with the new Government and Parliament in achieving it.”

Jo Dipple, CEO of UK Music said; “In what promises to be a busy year for us we ask that whoever is elected and forms the next Government supports our agenda, this manifesto will help to crystallise and structure those asks.

Following the 2015 May General Election, the Government will have an in-tray that includes policies affecting this industry and our members, be it directly or indirectly. For that reason, it is important that UK Music conveys a clear message of our sector. Whatever the colour of that Government, our concerns should appeal to any business-minded administration.”

Source: UK Music