UK Music has launched a campaign calling upon the government for more financial support amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Let The Music Play is also supported by members of the UK Live Music Group and a coalition of live music businesses that includes artists, venues, concerts, festivals, production companies, and industry figures. The campaign’s key requests of the government are a clear conditional timeline for reopening venues without social distancing; an immediate comprehensive business and employment support package, as well as access to finance; and full VAT exemption on ticket sales, as many live music venues continue to feel the pinch as a result of being closed since mid-March.
"Like other countries such as Germany and Australia, we need the Government to help the music industry, which contributes £5.2 billion to the economy annually and sustains almost 200,000 jobs to ensure it remains world-leading following the damage caused by this pandemic," UK Music said, launching the campaign.
The organisation’s statement continues: "Until these businesses can operate again, which is likely to be 2021 at the earliest, government support will be crucial to prevent mass insolvencies and the end of this world-leading industry."
Leading artists across the industry, including The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Radiohead, FKA twigs, Foals, and Dizzee Rascal, have signed a letter to culture secretary Oliver Dowden. You can read the letter here, and find the full list of signatories here.
Supporting the campaign, Dua Lipa said she was "proud" to have worked her way up through the music industry having started out playing smaller clubs and festivals.
"The possibility for other emerging British artists to take the same path is in danger if the industry doesn’t receive much needed government support in the interim period before all the various venues, festivals and promoters are ready and able to operate independently again," she warned.
Responding to the campaign, Dowden said on Twitter that he understands "the deep anxiety of those working in music" and the desire to get fixed dates for reopening.
He added: "I am pushing hard for these dates and to give you a clear roadmap back. These involve very difficult decisions about the future of social distancing, which we know has saved lives."
Find out more about Let The Music Play here.
