13/12/2019: UK Music CEO Michael Dugher congratulated Boris Johnson on his General Election victory and called on the new Government to draw up a new and comprehensive music strategy as a top priority.
He outlined the music industry’s key concerns to the new Prime Minister before the Government maps out its legislative plans in the Queen’s Speech, which is expected to take place in the next few weeks.
UK Music CEO Michael Dugher said:
“Congratulations to the newly elected Government. Hopefully this will now deliver the stability we need to get things done, including a new and comprehensive strategy to support music.
“It is vital that the Prime Minister makes securing a trade deal with the EU a top priority. That deal needs to ensure that artists, creators and everyone involved with the UK music industry can move around the EU to do their jobs. It must also make sure that we have a legal framework to make the UK the world’s best place to make content. Copyright should be protected and enhanced in any new trade deals.
“There now needs to be a laser-like focus from the new Government on boosting music in education to ensure we can produce creators and stars across every sector of the music business to nurture the talent pipeline on which our industry relies. The Conservative manifesto commitment to introduce an “arts premium” at secondary schools is a welcome step.
“Ministers also need to make good on their pledge to help protect small music venues by delivering on their pre-election promises to cut the soaring business rates bills faced by so many venues.
“We look forward to the speedy appointment of a new Secretary of State for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport. We desperately need some continuity in that post and UK Music stand ready to work with them to ensure our world-leading music industry goes from strength to strength”.
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