21.09.2026: UK Music has commissioned new research to help show how the music industry can be a key part of the Government’s devolution agenda.
The report – unveiled as the political party conferences get under way – demonstrates how the Prime Minister’s devolution plans can be a major opportunity for the £8 billion music industry to be at the heart of moves to drive jobs and growth in every community.
Writing in local government bible MJ (formerly the Municipal Journal), UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl explains how the new report will support UK Music’s work at the party conferences where the theme at our panel events this year is Madchesterism: Putting Music at the Heart of Devolution.
Tom writes: “UK Music has commissioned Groundwork Research to deliver ‘Devolution Amplified’. This research paper, published to coincide with the 2026 party political conference season, is intended to stimulate discussion amongst the music industry, politicians, local leaders and opinion formers about what devolution could mean for the sector and how far it could potentially go.
“At the heart of the Government’s current thinking is a fundamental shift in power, funding and accountability away from Westminster and Whitehall to directly elected mayors and strategic authorities. ‘Devolution Amplified’ highlights a number of ways the music industry is already engaging at this level.
“This includes work to create Music Boards, establish Music Offices and inclusion within Local Growth Plans, as well as strategies around skills, education, transport and infrastructure.
“The challenge however is that the practice remains uneven, with the extent to which strategic authorities support the music industry varying considerably. The research makes clear the next phase of devolution is an opportunity to not treat music simply as a cultural asset, but as part of the economic, social and physical fabric of local communities.
“Building on the powers recently conferred on strategic authorities which gave them a formal competency on culture, ‘Devolution Amplified’ sets out five specific principles for these authorities to take forward – (1) give music a voice at the mayoral table, (2) understand the local music industry and build the capacity to act on that understanding, (3) give places the tools to act, (4) build the music workforce and (5) create the conditions for music to thrive.
“Whether it is a festival, studio, venue, rehearsal room, music business, education institution or creative community, everywhere has some form of musical asset. While Manchester may very well do all these things differently, the music industry is uniquely placed to highlight the diversity that exists across the country and put our sector at the heart of this moment of change.”
You can read Tom’s full piece in the MJ here.
The conference season follows the launch of the Government’s Music Plan at UK Music’s summer party in July. You can read more about the Music Plan on our website here.
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