UNION POLL: MUSICIANS FACE CLOUDY FUTURE

New research from the U.K.'s Musicians’ Union indicates that one in five musicians fear they will have to abandon their career due to the financial impact of COVID-19. The poll, which included answers from 1,500 union members, also revealed that two-in-five (38%) are not eligible for the Government’s financial assistance schemes.

Of those who do qualify for support, a quarter (26%) said they would still struggle to survive financially in the interim period before they receive payments.

The findings identify key gaps for members, the majority of whom are self-employed, in the British Government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) for workers facing financial hardship as a result of the impact of the coronavirus. Those who don't qualify include musicians who are partly self-employed, who have been self-employed for less than a year, those who run as a limited company and musicians with annual profits of more than £50,000.

Horace Trubridge, General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union, has urged the British Government to match the more inclusive support packages offered in other countries around Europe. "We are calling on our Government to take action by reassessing its SEISS package and considering how else it can help a sector that is so vital to our national community.”

The MU is also concerned that musicians who have taken time out for maternity leave are being disadvantaged—maternity leave is not being disregarded from the scheme, impacting the amount of money that will be paid out (calculated as an average three-yearly profits, which are significantly lower for those who have taken a break).

"We risk facing a devastating impact on the music industry. From providing us with the joy of live music, to teaching our children, musicians play a huge part in our everyday lives and to wipe out a fifth of that will have unimaginable consequences," Trubridge said. "We’ve seen other countries recognize this and, importantly, act. In Germany, the total package for the arts is worth £46.3bn, with the Government also promising financial support to micro businesses of up to five employees. Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland have all announced funds and aid packages for the sector.”