14.07.2026: UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl has welcomed a Government plan for the music industry as an important step that will help “boost jobs and opportunities right across the UK”.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy unveiled the Government’s Music Plan at UK Music’s annual summer party for its members, politicians, music industry leaders and other stakeholders at the IET in central London on Monday July 13.
Titled “Turn It Up: Our Plan for Music”, the Plan aims to create the conditions for the sector, which generates £8 billion a year for the UK economy to grow, innovate and succeed. The Government said the new strategy reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensure the UK is the best place in the world to create, experience and invest in music.
The Government said the key points included:
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A commitment to back thousands of grassroots projects, over 40,000 artists and businesses, and millions of children to secure a thriving music industry
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Music Growth Package bolstered with a cash injection of £15 million, meaning £45 million will support more than 2,000 music projects over three years
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£12.5 million for libraries to be transformed into music lending libraries with free studio spaces and live performance opportunities – inspired by the Culture Secretary’s visit with Ed Sheeran to Brighten the Corners in Ipswich in 2024
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£10 million for creative mentoring for care experienced young people, helping them build trusted relationships with creative practitioners through 1:1 support
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Red tape for music festivals to be cut, with longer licences to provide security for organisers supporting great live outdoor music moments
UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said:
“UK Music has previously called on the government to deliver a long-term music strategy to help safeguard and grow our world-leading industry that contributes £8 billion to the economy, brings in £4.8 billion in export revenues and supports 220,000 jobs. It is welcome that the government have listened to our calls and are launching a Music Plan.
“This long term plan comes at a time when it is more crucial than ever that we join forces to find solutions to the challenges facing our world-leading sector. These include the impact of artificial intelligence on music creators and companies, the barriers to overseas touring, the threats music spaces face, the challenges small businesses and freelancers experience, and the need to protect music in schools.
“We look forward to working with the government, its music champion Michael Dugher, our members and the rest of the music industry to make the make the most of this opportunity, to build on the foundations that a Music Plan creates, and to ensure that our sector remains a pillar of growth which helps boost jobs and opportunities right across the UK.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:
“Music is our shared language. It brings people together, breaks down barriers and gives voice to every community. At a time when too many people feel disconnected, music has never mattered more.
“As the song says, ‘Every generation throws a hero up the pop charts.’ But pop is getting posher, and that must change. Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. After a decade of mindless vandalism that stripped culture and creativity from too many classrooms and communities, we are putting music back at the heart of education, investing in creative careers and backing grassroots music across the country.
“We believe music belongs to everyone, not just the privileged few. That’s how we widen opportunity, strengthen our communities and ensure the UK’s incredible fans and extraordinary musical talent continues to inspire the world for generations to come.”
The announcements included:
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The Music Growth Package, announced in the Creative Industries Sector Plan, will receive a new cash injection of £15 million from Arts Council England – bringing it to £45 million in total. This will support more than 2,000 projects and at least 40,000 artists and music professionals over the next three years. For the first time, the funding will also be used to support mid-career artists, band managers, labels and publishers.
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At least £12.5 million of dormant assets funding for a Music in Libraries initiative, which will be co-designed by the Ed Sheeran Foundation and other partners. To boost the role of libraries in music enrichment, library services in England, with partners such as Music Hubs, will be able to apply for the funding to create free studio spaces, recording booths, mixing desks and state-of-the-art equipment.
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At least £10 million of dormant assets funding for a Creative Mentoring scheme, which will give thousands of care experienced children and young people the opportunity to receive in-depth mentoring from creative practitioners, and opportunities to explore creative disciplines such as music, art, film and drama. This and the Music in Libraries scheme will be delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund.
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Reforms to the licensing system to help live music and events thrive and promote growth, including increasing the number of Temporary Event Notices (TENs) from 15 to 20 per year and the total event days from 21 to 26, providing greater flexibility, including for live music venues and emerging artists.
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Longer, more secure licences for festivals and other events, with minimum three-year contracts for new events and five-year contracts for existing events.
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Increasing investment in the UK Government’s music trade mission programme by nearly 50%, with the Department for Business and Trade more than doubling its funding to the British Music Embassy at South by Southwest in Austin, supporting UK talent from every nation and region to reach new global audiences.
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The appointment of Michael Dugher, former CEO of UK Music, as the Government’s first Music Champion to strengthen engagement between Government and the music industry and provide a dedicated advocate for the sector.
The Government said the announcements would build on the launch of the Creative Industries Sector Plan as part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy a year ago, where music was identified as a core area for economic growth.
The news was covered by:
Daily Express