Douglas Alexander MP has welcomed the UK Government’s launch of Turn It Up: Our Plan for Music, a long-term partnership with the music industry to ensure the UK remains the best place in the world to create, perform, experience and invest in music.
The plan will support music communities across the country, including local venues, artists and creative organisations in East Lothian, helping ensure talent can be discovered, developed and supported wherever it is found.
Music is one of Britain’s greatest economic and cultural strengths, contributing £8 billion to the UK economy, supporting 220,000 jobs and accounting for one in every twelve music streams worldwide.
The UK’s music industry is recognised globally for its creativity and success, but many grassroots venues, emerging artists and creative workers continue to face challenges.
Rising costs, barriers to opportunity and pressures on local music spaces have made it harder for some talent and venues to thrive.
Labour’s Plan for Music sets out how government and industry will work together to strengthen the foundations of the sector and ensure the UK’s music industry continues to grow.
At the heart of the plan is a new £45 million Music Growth Package, which will support more than 2,000 projects and 40,000 artists and music professionals over three years.
The investment will provide support for:
- Grassroots music venues and clubs;
- Recording and rehearsal spaces;
- Festivals and promoters;
- Artists, managers, independent labels and music publishers.
Douglas Alexander MP said:
“Music is a huge part of life in East Lothian, and I welcome the Plan for Music and the detail it sets out on how the government and industry will support for local venues, musicians and creative organisations.
“I hope that the plan, and especially the new £45m Music Growth Package, will ensure that more people can access opportunities, develop their skills and build careers in music locally and across Scotland.”
The Plan for Music will also support those working across the industry by improving fairness for creators, strengthening protections for freelancers and ensuring artists are supported as technology continues to evolve.
This includes action to improve streaming remuneration, tackle exploitation and strengthen standards for creative workers.
Music also plays an important role in supporting local economies, attracting visitors, strengthening high streets and creating jobs across the creative industries.
For music fans, Labour’s Plan for Music will help make live music more affordable, safer and more accessible by tackling ticket touting, improving venue safety and supporting accessibility for disabled, deaf and neurodivergent audiences.