14.09.2023: MPs, Peers and industry figures packed into Portcullis House to urge all political parties to back a comprehensive, medium to long-term music strategy for growth.

At a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Music, UK Music’s Interim Chief Executive Tom Kiehl and Policy and Campaign Officer Dougie Brown presented UK Music’s A Manifesto for Music.

The blueprint has been developed over a number of months following consultation with stakeholders across the music industry, as well as music fans.

The manifestos five key asks, as outlined in the meeting are:-

• Ensure artificial intelligence (AI) supports human artistry through strong copyright standards, clear labelling and record keeping requirements, and protections for the personality rights of music makers.
• Fix the European touring crisis by securing a Cultural Touring Agreement with the EU.
• Introduce a tax credit to encourage new UK music production.
• Invest millions more in music education and recruit 1,000 more music teachers.
• Secure a fair deal for music lovers by ending rip-off secondary ticketing practices.

Alongside this there are a number of other measures that UK Music is promoting in the manifesto to boost music exports, protect music spaces and progress diversity and inclusion.

The UK’s music sector has significant growth potential. However, there is increasing global competition vying for a share of this market. Without the actions set out in the manifesto the UK risks being overtaken by countries who are more proactive and ambitious in promoting and supporting their music sectors.

Supporting the manifesto, APPG on Music Chair Kevin Brennan MP highlighted concerns about the development of AI without the consent and respect of creators rights, stating “I say – No AI without EI – we need emotional intelligence to underpin the use of AI and make sure it serves and rewards human creativity”

In addition to Kevin, a number of Parliamentarians attended the meeting including Shadow Culture Ministers Barbara Keeley MP and Chris Bryant MP, Sir Greg Knight MP, Alex Sobel MP, Valerie Vaz MP, Jeff Smith MP, Lord Wood of Anfield, Earl of Clancarty, Lord Clement-Jones, Lord Black of Brentwood. Also in attendance were representatives from the offices of DCMS Secretary Lucy Frazer MP and Pete Wishart MP. External attendees included Sophie Jones (BPI), Silvia Montello (AIM), Gee Davy (AIM), Paul Mortimer (Ivors Academy), Julia Rowan (PRS for Music), Ornella Nsio (MPA), Jon Collins (LIVE), Colin Stuart (ISM), Gadi Oron (CISAC), Anna Neale (CISAC) and Claire Mera-Nelson (Arts Council England).

Find out more about the APPG on Music here.