Government Launches Turn It Up: Our Plan for Music to Boost UK Music Sector

The UK government has unveiled "Turn It Up: Our Plan for Music," a comprehensive long-term strategy designed to support the nation's £8 billion music industry through targeted investment and regulatory reform. Announced by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, the initiative aims to address systemic challenges including education gaps, touring barriers, and the financial stability of grassroots venues. This plan reaffirms the government's commitment to a sector that supports 220,000 jobs and generates £4.8 billion in export revenues by fostering an environment conducive to innovation and international competitiveness.

The strategy introduces immediate financial measures to stabilize the live music ecosystem, most notably a 15% business rates relief for music venues with bills frozen for the next two years. To facilitate international growth, the government has collaborated with the EU, Norway, and Switzerland to implement digital ATA Carnet processing. This transition is expected to see 70% of UK-issued carnets processed digitally, significantly reducing the administrative and cost burdens for touring artists and crew. These efforts are part of a broader push to maintain the UK's status as a global leader in live music, supported by industry initiatives like the LIVE Trust, which has already secured over six million pledges since January 2025 to support grassroots infrastructure.

A central pillar of the plan focuses on reforming the talent pipeline through significant investment in education and skills. The government is allocating £132.5 million from dormant assets to the ‘Every Child Can’ programme, ensuring access to music and arts activities outside of school hours regardless of socioeconomic background. Furthermore, a new National Centre backed by up to £13 million will launch in September to assist schools in delivering a high-quality arts curriculum and managing the Music Hub network. These educational reforms are paired with the ‘Discover! Creative Careers’ campaign, which specifically targets young people from underrepresented and working-class communities to diversify the industry's future workforce.

To improve working conditions within the sector, the government will appoint a dedicated Freelance Champion to advocate for the interests of the industry's extensive freelance workforce. The plan also strengthens protections for workers by formally supporting the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA). By adding CIISA to the list of prescribed bodies, the government ensures that individuals can whistleblow regarding industry standards without fear of professional detriment or dismissal. Additionally, the Arts Council will oversee a new ‘Music Growth Package’ intended to provide financial support for artists at every career stage, from initial studio recording to global stage performances.

The ‘Turn It Up’ strategy arrives as the industry faces complex modern challenges, including the rapid development of artificial intelligence and the ongoing need to protect physical music spaces. UK Music, which has long advocated for a unified national strategy, welcomed the plan as a vital framework for safeguarding a sector that contributes nearly £5 billion in exports. By integrating music into the government’s broader Industrial Strategy, officials aim to ensure the UK remains a premier destination for music investment and creation. The appointment of Michael Dugher as the government's music champion further signals a commitment to collaborative problem-solving between policymakers and industry stakeholders.