UK’s £45M plan backs artists venues and careers

Turn It Up: How the UK is Rebuilding a Music Ecosystem with £45 Million

The British music industry is an economic powerhouse, contributing billions to the national economy and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. But for artists and musicians navigating today’s landscape, opportunity often seems out of reach. In response, the UK government has launched a sweeping national strategy, Turn It Up: Our Plan for Music, designed to transform the industry from the classroom and local venues right through to the international touring stage.

This ambitious plan injects £15 million into the Music Growth Package, setting the total fund value at a substantial £45 million (approximately $60 million) to be deployed between 2026 and 2029. This isn’t just infrastructure spending; it is a commitment to treating music not merely as a cultural success story, but as a vibrant ecosystem worthy of active governmental support.

The strategy aims to unlock potential by supporting more than 2,000 projects and providing direct assistance to at least 40,000 artists and music professionals over the next three years. Unlike previous programs that focused solely on physical infrastructure, this expanded package is engineered to provide direct support for emerging and mid-career artists, bands, managers, labels, and publishers who are vital to the industry’s future.

Fueling the Live Scene

The £45 million is strategically divided across three core areas designed to address the entire music journey. The first focus targets infrastructure, backing roughly 500 projects involving grassroots venues, clubs, recording studios, festivals, and rehearsal spaces. This ensures that local creativity has the physical space it needs to thrive.

Next, a significant portion is dedicated to promoting domestic touring and showcasing talent. Through the Early Career Promoter Fund, the plan will support approximately 500 projects and award 300 accolades, driving visibility for emerging acts across the UK.

The final pillar targets global reach, helping around 700 independent artists, creators, and professionals access international markets. This includes £4.8 million for the Music Export Growth Scheme and expanded support through the International Showcase Fund, opening doors for British talent worldwide.

Beyond the Stage: Education and Opportunity

The strategy recognizes that opportunity must be widespread, extending far beyond performance venues. To address educational barriers, the plan allocates £12.5 million in dormant-assets funding to launch a new Music in Libraries initiative, co-designed with the Ed Sheeran Foundation. This will allow library authorities across England to equip spaces with instruments, recording booths, and workshops, making music education accessible to all.

Furthermore, creative mentorship is being enhanced through a £10 million program aimed at children and young people who have experienced the care system. This initiative offers one-on-one relationships with creative professionals, helping to cover costs for tuition, equipment, transportation, and tickets, ensuring that creative pathways are open regardless of background.

Modernizing the Music Landscape

The strategy also tackles the practical hurdles faced by live organizers. To ease administrative burdens, the government plans to increase the number of Temporary Event Notices available to venues from 15 to 20 per year and raise the maximum number of event days from 21 to 26. Crucially, it aims to encourage longer licensing agreements for festivals, proposing minimum three-year terms for new events and five-year terms for established ones.

Addressing post-Brexit challenges, the plan acknowledges the increased costs faced by UK artists and crews. The government is committed to improving official touring guidance and supporting the rollout of digital ATA carnets, strengthening ties with European partners to facilitate smoother international movement.

Finally, the strategy looks to the future of creation and consumption. It reinforces support for measures like banning ticket resale above face value, a move estimated to save fans approximately £112 million annually. To manage the digital frontier, a task force will be established to develop recommendations for labeling AI-generated content and ensuring creator protections against unauthorized digital replicas.

With industry leaders estimating the British music sector contributed £8 billion to the economy in 2024, Turn It Up represents more than just financial investment. It is a powerful statement that the UK government views the music industry as a vital ecosystem demanding active support to boost jobs and unlock limitless creative potential.