Scottish Labour has called for more support for Scotland’s ailing
music scene. The party made the call ahead of a Scottish
Parliament debate this coming Tuesday which will examine the
impact of Covid on Scotland’s musician and the music industry.
The industry faces uncertainty with job losses and redundancies
due to Covid restrictions on gatherings in public spaces and a
long winter ahead.
The debate has been brought by Scottish Labour’s culture, tourism
and external affairs spokesperson as it emerged that 34 per cent of musicians surveyed
said that they may quit the industry due to the impact of the
pandemic, with 47 per cent looking for work outside music and 65
per cent facing financial hardship.
The Performing Rights Society for Music is also predicting a fall
of income of between 15-25 per cent, including a 75 per cent
decline in income from live performances.
Scottish Labour culture, tourism and external affairs
spokesperson said: “The bedrock of the music sector is the
brink of collapse with thousands of artists struggling to make
ends meet.
“Many large events companies and nightclubs in the major cities
recently received substantial support but we also need to focus
on grassroots venues and the music sector infrastructure across
Scotland. The Music Venue Trust has identified four venues in
Scotland that are on its Red List - and are facing an imminent
threat of permanent closure. Some grassroots venues can access
support from the strategic framework pot, but it is simply not
enough to get them through the winter, and recording studios and
rehearsal rooms are excluded from the scheme.”
Dr Baker added: “The £15 million fund for
culture has supported some music businesses, and the grassroots
music venue fund was welcome. But we need much more adaptability
and more resources if the sector is to survive the winter.
“The Welsh Government has just announced an additional £10.7
million into their culture recovery fund and £3.5 million into
their freelancer fund, and the Scottish Government needs to
commit to a further package of support."
ENDS
Notes to editors
Scotsman report on existing situation:
https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/public-funding-lifelines-revealed-scottish-cultural-venues-and-events-3026677
Musicians' Union on Welsh Government funding:
https://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/Home/News/2020/Nov/Welsh-Government-Announces-Additional-Funding-for
NME report on danger to music venues:
https://www.nme.com/news/music/uk-30-music-venues-in-danger-closing-forever-save-coronavirus-2813767
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Scottish Government information page:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-strategic-framework-business-fund/pages/eligibility/
