UK Music warns of challenges for £8bn music industry

Industry body UK Music has identified key steps to protect the future of its sector, which contributed an estimated £8bn to the UK economy – according to the recent 'This is Music 2025' report.

The study estimates that music’s contribution to the UK economy in 2024 hit a record £8 billion in terms of Gross Value Added (GVA) – up 5 per cent from £7.6 billion in 2023.  UK music exports revenue in 2024 reached a new high of £4.8 billion – up 5 per cent from £4.6 billion in 2023.

Total UK music industry employment in 2024 hit a record 220,000 full-time equivalent/FTE posts) – up 2 per cent from 216,000 in 2023.

UK Music says there will be a number of opportunities in the near future to protect its industry by addressing the impact of developments in AI and barriers to exporting music. These areas represent the main challenges to the industry's future growth and can be addressed in policy decisions in areas such as implementing the Creative Industries Sector Plan, Curriculum Review, BBC Charter Renewal and rollout of the Music Export Growth package.

Regarding AI, UK Music says the UK government could adopt measures, including rejecting any copyright exception that undermines the basic principle for how music is used and compensated for; introducing legal obligations on AI developers to disclose copyright works used in training; and establishing a legal requirement for clear labelling of AI-generated music.

In the area of music exports, the organisation says the UK could, among other steps, aim to secure an agreement with the EU to remove barriers to cultural exchange such as visa and work permit requirements; and work to remove UK-specific barriers to global exports by cutting costs and red tape around ATA Carnet (often referred to as a passport for goods) and Musical Instrument Certificates.

More at UK Music.

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