06/09/2019: UK Music has lined up a brilliant panel to discuss our keynote theme this year of #SelfieLeave at the Liberal Democrats’ Autumn Conference.

Our panel line-up in Bournemouth will be Lord Tim Clement-Jones (Lords Spokesperson For Digital), Luciana Berger (Liberal Democrat MP and APPG on Music Vice-Chair), Judith Bunting MEP (EU CULT committee & Liberal Democrat Party Spokesperson), Olga FitzRoy (MPG Executive Director).

The event will take place on Monday September 16 from 1pm to 2pm in the Purbeck Suite, Marriott Hotel, Bournemouth BH2 5DU.

Our event is focused on the challenges facing self-employed parents in the music industry. We are calling on the Government to urgently update shared parental leave and pay rules to include self-employed parents in the creative industries and across the UK workforce.

At present, self-employed parents have no way of sharing parental leave in the same way as other workers. We want an end to this unfair and unjust situation that has a dramatic impact on thousands of the 72 per cent of those in the music industry who are self-employed.

Changing the rules would allow parents greater flexibility over childcare decisions, help close the gender pay gap, enable mothers to maintain successful careers and give fathers the chance to care for their children.

UK Music supported Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson’s Employment Rights (Shared Parental Leave and Flexible Working) Bill back in April, as well as Tracy Brabin’s “SelfieLeave” Bill which was introduced last year.

The issue of shared parental leave for the self-employed will be debated as part of a conference motion on Sept 14 at 9:30am-10:15pm.

The venue is outside the secure zone, so there is no need for a pass to access the event. Refreshments will be provided.