Misogyny in Music: on
repeat
Summary
Our predecessor committee's report into misogyny in music,
published in January 2024, found that women in the industry faced
a culture of misogyny and discrimination. Sexual harassment and
abuse were found to be rife and being self-employed - as most in
the industry are - left women more vulnerable to abuses of power.
Despite the report being well received across the industry, most
of its recommendations were rejected by the then Government.
A year after its publication, little has changed, with women in
music still facing significant barriers, including unequal pay,
ageism, and being the more likely to take on childcare duties.
Sexual harassment remains pervasive, especially among women from
minority backgrounds, disabled women, and LGBTQ+ women, with
reporting rates low due to fear of retaliation. The need for
Government intervention is clear. There remains an overwhelming
case for the Government to implement the measures set out in our
predecessors' report, and the updated recommendations set out in
this report. The benefits of many of our recommendations would
not be limited to those working in music but would extend to
women across all sectors.
Legal protections for freelance musicians, who make up the
majority of the industry's workforce, remain inadequate. The
Equality Act 2010 does not clearly extend to freelancers or those
working under informal arrangements, such as “depping”
(substituting for another musician). Although the Employment
Rights Bill proposes stronger protections against third-party
harassment, there is concern that freelancers may still be
excluded. The Government should amend both the Equality Act and
the Employment Rights Bill to ensure freelancers are fully
protected, as well as bring Section 14 of the former into force,
to allow claims based on combined characteristics.
The misuse of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) is a major
concern. NDAs are frequently used to silence victims of
harassment and abuse, often under coercive circumstances. The
psychological toll these agreements take and the power imbalances
that make them particularly harmful in the music industry is
evident. The Government should ban NDAs in cases involving sexual
misconduct, bullying, or discrimination.
We strongly support the formation of the Creative Industries
Independent Standards Authority (CIISA), a new body designed to
address misconduct across the creative sectors. CIISA aims to
provide a trusted, independent avenue for complaints, advice, and
dispute resolution. However, its success depends on sustainable
funding and a supportive legal framework. While some industry
players have committed to funding CIISA, others have been
reluctant or have attempted to impose conditions. We support the
idea of a mandatory levy if voluntary contributions from the
industry prove insufficient or difficult to obtain.
Parents and carers face challenges in the music industry.
Freelancers, in particular, struggle with inadequate maternity
support and the high cost of childcare. The current rules around
Maternity Allowance are unfair, especially when compared to the
more flexible arrangements available to employed women. The
Government should align Maternity Allowance with Statutory
Maternity Pay to allow self-employed women greater flexibility
during maternity leave.
Misogyny remains deeply rooted in the music industry. Meaningful
change requires both cultural and structural reform. Many dream
of working in music - for too many it becomes a nightmare. Women
in the industry feel rightly frustrated at the lack of support
from the Government in tackling the challenges they face. The
Government should accept the recommendations in this report and
help set the music industry on a path of lasting change free from
discrimination, harassment and fear.
