Jeff Smith MP has welcomed the Labour 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 South Manchester, 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 th 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.

In South Manchester, local venues, musicians and creative organisations play an important role in bringing communities together, supporting the local economy and creating opportunities for people of all ages.

The Labour Government is also backing the next generation of talent by strengthening music education, expanding access to creative opportunities and building clearer pathways into careers across the music iustry.

Measures include:

· Reforming music education through a strengthened National Curriculum;

· Launching a new National Centre for Arts and Music Education;

· Investing in opportunities for young people, including those from communities where access to creative activities has historically been limited.

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.

The Government is also backing music businesses of all sizes by reducing barriers to growth through:

· Business rates relief for live music venues;

· Planning reforms to better protect existing venues;

· Support for exports and international opportunities for British artists and businesses;

·Investment in regional creative growth.

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.

Jeff Smith MP said:

“Music is a huge part of life in South Manchester, with local venues, musicians, promoters and creative organisations playing an important role in bringing people together and supporting our local economy. From grassroots gigs and rehearsal spaces to the artists who are taking their first steps in the industry, we know that talent exists in every community. But too often, the people and places that help nurture that talent have faced real challenges.

That is why I welcome our Labour Government’s Plan for Music, which will provide vital support for grassroots venues, emerging artists and music professionals. The £45 million Music Growth Package will help ensure that more people can access opportunities, develop their skills and build careers in music. 

Living in Withington, I know how important our local music scene is here in South Manchester, and I want to see our venues protected, our artists supported and more young people given the chance to discover their creativity.

Labour is backing the future of British music, from the grassroots venues where it begins to the global

stages where our talent shines. Through Turn It Up: Our Plan for Music, the Labour Government is ensuring music remains a driver of economic growth, cultural influence and opportunity across every part of the UK.”

The Plan will:

· Support more than 2,000 projects & 40,000 artists & music professionals through the £45 million Music Growth Package.

· Strengthen grassroots music venues and creative spaces.

· Improve access to music education and creative opportunities.

· Support creators through fairer practices and stronger protections.

· Help music businesses grow and succeed internationally.

· Improve the experience of music fans across the UK.