Umbrella trade organization UK Music has launched its own manifesto ahead of the forthcoming general election, which will determine who leads the country through Brexit negotiations.
The five point plan sets out a number of priorities, including securing international trade deals that work for British music companies and artists, and ensure they are not subject to restrictive quotas or tariffs.
Copyright and its enforcement should also be a key part of any future trade negotiations, says the trade body, while tackling the "bars and grills" exception to music licensing and securing sound recording royalties on FM radio in the U.S. should also be a focus for whoever is in power following the June 8 general election.
Other priorities identified by UK Music include regional development schemes, involving the roll out of 'Night Tzars’ throughout U.K. cities. Bolstering the country's intellectual property framework and setting out how the British government intends to tackle the value gap. Increased investment in education around creative skills. And finally, the introduction of tax credit schemes that will further incentivize the U.K. as a destination for music recording.
UK Music says that the manifesto has been formulated to ensure the continued prosperity of a thriving music sector, which contributes £4.1 billion ($5.3 billion) annually to the economy and employs almost 120,000 people. Over the past four years the British music industry has grown by 17 percent and contributes £2.2 billion ($2.8 billion) in exports, according to data compiled by the umbrella organization.
"Clearly we do music very well. Yet despite this success, we have to sound a note of caution," sets out UK Music chair Andy Heath in the manifesto’s introduction.
"To maintain growth and withstand the challenges that may be presented over the next five years our Government needs to put creative industries at the heart of Brexit negotiations and devise an industrial strategy to safeguard sectors like music and allow them to develop further."
He surmises: "Securing the best deal for music must be achieved for our industry, our economy and for the world’s music fans."
