COVID-19 wiped out a third of music jobs in UK according to a recent study by UK Music, an organisation that represents all sectors of the UK music industry. In its annual report, This is Music 2021, it reveals the devastating impact of COVID-19, which wiped out 69,000 jobs – one in three of the total workforce.
Key findings of This is Music 2021
- Employment plunged by 35% from 197,000 in 2019 to 128,000 in 2020
- Music industry’s economic contribution fell 46% from £5.8bn to £3.1bn in 2020
- Music exports dropped 23% from £2.9 billion in 2019 to £2.3 billion in 2020
Glastonbury was among the hundreds of festivals and live music events cancelled after the first in a series of lockdowns was imposed in March 2020. The impact was felt right across the industry as studios and venues were forced to close, and musicians and crew were unable to work. In a sector where three-quarters are self-employed, many were not covered by Government support schemes.
The huge economic contribution that music made to the UK economy in 2019 almost halved as a result of the pandemic – falling by 46% from a record £5.8 billion (Gross Value Added – GVA) in 2019 to £3.1 billion in 2020.
Launching the report, UK Music called on the Government to introduce tax incentives and other employment-boosting measures to help the sector rebuild after the pandemic. It also called for urgent action to resolve the problems facing musicians and crew touring the EU. The measures are outlined in a new Music Industry Strategic Recovery Plan – drawn up by UK Music and included in the new report.
UK Music is calling on the Government to implement:
- Tax incentives for the music industry to stimulate growth and jobs
- Urgent action to remove the barriers to touring the EU
- A permanent reduction in VAT rate on live music event tickets
- More funding and support for music exports
- Boosting funding for music education and for the self-employed to help secure the talent pipeline
In addition to UK Music’s research, UK Music also commissioned Public First to survey the views of the general public on the music industry.
The survey by Public First found:
- 75% of the public are proud of the UK music industry and its heritage
- 59% believe music improves the UK’s reputation overseas
- 74% say music is important to their quality of life
- UK listens to 60 billion hours of music a year – the equivalent of 7 million years
- 1 million people took up a music instrument during lockdown
This is Music 2021 can be downloaded here.
