UK Music Chief Executive is urging to include live music in his roadmap out of Covid-19
restrictions to save jobs and help music drive the UK’s
post-pandemic recovery.
His call came ahead of the Prime Minister’s expected announcement
next week (Monday) on how the Government plans to ease lockdown
and reopen the economy in the weeks ahead.
The imposed pause on vast swathes of the music industry for
almost a year has put thousands of jobs at risk in the sector
that provides work for 200,000 people and contributes £5.8
billion a year to the UK economy.
UK Music Chief Executive said the Prime Minister should use his roadmap
to give the live music industry the “urgent clarity” it needs due
to plan for summer and save thousands of jobs that are “at risk
of being lost forever”.
His call comes at a time when hospital admission and Covid-19
cases are falling swiftly and amid predictions that every UK
adult could receive both jabs by August.
He also stressed that while the live music sector was effectively
prevented from operating it was vital that Government financial
support continued, especially given three quarters of those who
work in the industry are self-employed freelancers.
said:
“We are fast reaching a critical point for the live music
industry. If festivals and large events are forced to cancel for
another year, many will go under and thousands of jobs are at
risk of being lost forever.
“We are not asking to reopen a moment before it is safe to do so,
but if our sector is to survive through this pandemic then we
require urgent clarity about the months ahead and some indication
of when live music will be able to return.
“We have done a huge amount to reduce the risk of Covid
transmission by working with the Government to develop safe
working practices, engaging on testing pilots and by looking at
all possible options to make festivals and venues as safe as
possible.
“What we need now is a laser-like focus from the Government on
how we can work together to get live music back as swiftly and
safely as possible.
“A restart date for live music would be hugely welcome. The long
lead time involved in planning festivals and other events makes
this crucial. At the very least, we need clarity about the
conditions under which we would be allowed to get live events
under way again.
“The vaccination rollout has been a huge success and case rates
are going in the right direction – but without certainty about
when live music will be allowed to operate again, many businesses
and organisations in our sector and the wider supply chain will
struggle to survive.
“When the time for the post-pandemic recovery comes, the UK's
world-leading music industry can be a key part of our country's
economic and cultural revival.
“Live music brings massive economic benefits right across the
country, often to communities where they are crucial to local
employment and trade by creating extra business for hotels, taxi
firms, restaurants, bars and many more.
“But for us to play that positive role in the post-pandemic
recovery, and help provide the economy with the shot in the arm
it will desperately need, our industry requires urgent clarity on
the likely road ahead.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
