We hear from @chriswardmp.bsky.social about priorities for government.

@stellacreasy.bsky.social makes the case for the Swiss model, and @liambyrnemp.bsky.social calls for an Economic Security Union.

We also hear from @paulnowaktuc.bsky.social, @naomipohl.bsky.social, @craigbeaumont.bsky.social.

A great turn-out for the Musicians’ Union bloc at the Together March today. A super positive & hopeful event - all about unity and inclusion ❤️

On the day of the announcement, MU General Secretary @naomipohl.bsky.social was able to raise the issues that AI poses to musicians’ rights and work in a meeting with the Prime Minister

The MU also coordinated a letter to the PM signed by all of the @labourunionsuk.bsky.social general secretaries

❗In Scotland, 83% of creative freelancers have experienced not being paid for their work

Our Musicians’ Manifesto for Scotland sets out measures to help protect Scotland’s cultural assets

📣 Ask your MSP to support the manifesto
🔗 Use the template letter: theMU.org/MusiciansManifestoForScotland

We had a great meeting yesterday in Glasgow, focused on how we can better represent members in every corner of the UK - including in Scotland, Wales & NI.

The Assembly is a representative group of musicians from each of our Regions, Nations, our Diversity Networks, our industry sector Advisory Boards, young members and a rep from our Climate Emergency Action Group.

I promised when I was elected that the MU would represent all members equally - wherever they’re based, whatever their background & however they make music. Our Members’ Assembly has been part of that change.

For those who do have time, it’s an important read! Deadline for consultation is 10 March

www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/...

Protect Our BBC: Your Chance to Shape its Future As the BBC Charter comes up for renewal, the MU is urging members to respond to the consultation and support the vital role the BBC plays in sustaining jobs, commissioning new work and underpinning th...

For musicians who don’t have time to read the BBC’s 100 page paper - the MU has produced a template response to the consultation you can adapt. musiciansunion.org.uk/news/protect...

From the Proms to their Glastonbury footage, BBC Introducing to BBC Radio and their orchestras and BBC Singers - no other broadcaster or streamer comes close to amplifying the range of music the BBC does.

The BBC is the biggest employer and engager of musicians in the UK and it plays a significant role in many creators careers and development. 🧵

On my way to speak to the Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee on behalf of @wearethemu.bsky.social and with a busy touring artist, colleagues from @equityuk.bsky.social & the Association of British Orchestras.

We’ll be talking about the barriers to touring in the EU & how to fix them

Record payments to rightsholders from Spotify is positive, except that a big chunk of that goes to labels rather than musicians.

We're campaigning to fix streaming so that all musicians get a fair and guaranteed royalty. Sign and share the petition to show your support!
🔗 bit.ly/FixStreaming

Classical music brings us joy and meaning. In this time of doom and gloom, we need to talk about that | James Murphy Why do we focus on the bad news stories about cuts and crises in classical music ? Musicians are doing incredible things to engage, support and sustain us; we should tell those stories too

A heartwarming article celebrating classical music: ‘Watching musicians… I regularly witness the best of humanity, striving together to give the best of themselves for the benefit of others.’ Classical music brings us joy and meaning. In this time of doom & gloom www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...

Background photo of Culture Minister Lisa Nandy and Musicians' Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl smiling to camera, with grey and yellow text “We are the M.U.” and “Behind every musician” behind them. In the lower half, black text with yellow highlight says “Government announces £1.5bn for arts & culture venues in England.” Below that, smaller white text says “It includes £80 million capital funding over four years for Arts Council England’s regularly funded organisations.” Underneath is a yellow line. Below that is the logo “M U Musicians’ Union” on the left and an arrow indicating more on the right.

Government has announced a 5% funding uplift for arts organisations in England – part of a £1.5bn package to protect arts and culture venues 🧵👇

"We've been really harmed by Brexit as an industry."

–Naomi Pohl, General Secretary of the Musicians' Union, speaking at our conference rally.

@naomipohl.bsky.social @wearethemu.bsky.social

There’s money in music – but it’s not going to musicians

Major corporations and big tech companies are making billions of pounds, while nearly half of musicians earn less than £14k a year

Bridget Phillipson holding a yellow and fuchsia electric guitar cutout that says “#WeAreTheMU” and “keep music live”. She’s smiling at the camera. Behind her is a black backdrop with “behind every musician” in curved yellow text above her head and more placards on touring in the E.U and fixing music streaming. To her right, a colourful t-shirt featuring a robot skull eating a mic and the text “big tech eats art” sits on a chair

It's been a busy few days at #Lab25!

We're calling on MPs to change the law to protect musicians from the impacts of music streaming and AI

And we’re making sure touring in the EU stays on the agenda

Thanks to everyone who’s stopped by the Musicians’ Union stand, including 👇

Photo of a panel event. In the background to the left, a table of speakers and moderators including Nick Thomas-Symonds and Chris Bryant. Behind them is a window with a thin white curtain closed. In the foreground to the right, Musicians' Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl speaks at a metal podium with roller banners behind her that say "the Labour Movement for Europe"

MU General Secretary @naomipohl.bsky.social also joined Minister for EU Relations Nick Thomas-Symonds MP and Minister of State Chris Bryant MP to spotlight the barriers still faced by our members touring in the EU

Thanks to @labour4europe.bsky.social for the invite ✊

Coming to Liverpool for Labour Conference?

Join us to talk about the road ahead for 🇬🇧 and 🇪🇺

Featuring:

EU Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds
LME Chair @stellacreasy.bsky.social
@wearethemu.bsky.social/ @naomipohl.bsky.social
@yuanfenyang.bsky.social MP
Thomas Vaupel @pes.eu

Naomi standing on a stage and speaking at a podium. She is wearing a red dress. Behind her are two large screens and to the left of her is a top table.

“AI generated music will not only devalue MU members’ work, it could replace it”

MU General Secretary @naomipohl.bsky.social seconded the composite motion on AI and the creative industries at @tuc.org.uk Conference 2025

✅ Motion passed

At @wearethemu.bsky.social, we’re selfishly sorry that @chrisbryant1962.bsky.social has left the culture brief. Chris has been a great advocate for music & has driven forward work streams on key issues affecting musicians, like music streaming & EU touring. Thanks & good luck in your new role Chris!

Musicians' Union Reacts to Government and Record Labels’ Announcement The Government and record labels, including the three major labels, have today announced a package of principles and commitments, which they say will better remunerate creators in the streaming era.

Read the union's full response:

Why Streaming Sucks For Session Musicians | Musicians' Union YouTube video by WeAreTheMU

Crucially, we've secured a meeting with Minister Chris Bryant and the record labels in September to discuss session musicians and what would constitute fair remuneration for them

For now, share your thoughts on low/no royalties for music streaming and why you think it needs to change #FixStreaming

❗ Breaking news on music streaming ❗

Over the last year or so, the MU has been taking part in Creator Remuneration Working Group meetings to get a fair deal for musicians and music creators from streaming

🧵

MU Welcomes Cardiff Music School’s Decision to Remain Open and Urges More Support for Arts in Higher Proposals to close the School of Music at Cardiff University won’t go ahead, but further work is needed on the detailed plans and culture across Wales.

This is something that @naomipohl.bsky.social and I discussed with the Cabinet Secretary for Education on Thursday and that I hope to continue working on with the culture and education teams.

musiciansunion.org.uk/news/mu-welc...

Another great speaker from @wearethemu.bsky.social supporting an @equityuk.bsky.social motion to #TUCDisabledWorkers Conference. Musician Llinos Owen highlighting the importance of PIP to support working disabled people. #TakingthePIP

Loving the vibe at @tuc.org.uk Disabled Workers Conference. So mutually supportive, respectful & such passionate speeches. Here’s the @wearethemu.bsky.social delegation. (That’s half of me on the right.)

Fiona spoke about Access to Work and how freelancers in the creative industries need this support. The Minister responded, emphasising the importance of the creative industries to the UK economy ✊

I’m at @tuc.org.uk Disabled Workers Conference today. @wearethemu.bsky.social member Fiona Branson addressed the Minister for Social Security & Disability about freelance workers, the arts & proposed cuts to PIP which will affect @wearethemu members who already face a pay gap & high costs of living.