UK Music Chief sets out five tests for Andy Burnham as new UK Prime Minister takes office

To help support the UK's £8 billion music industry, Tom Kiehl, the Chief Executive of UK Music, has published a series of tests for the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, aiming to boost jobs and remove the barriers facing touring musicians.

Andy Burnham became Labour leader on Friday and replaced Keir Starmer as prime minister of the UK today.

At UK Music's summer party on July 13, Kiehl welcomed a Government Music Plan, a "long-term plan to ensure the UK is the best place in the world to create, experience and invest in music," according to the UK Government.

As Burnham formed his new government in Downing Street, Kiehl came out with a statement highlighting the five key tests he has for the Prime Minister.

"This long term plan comes at a time when it is more crucial than ever that we join forces to find solutions to the challenges facing our world-leading sector," he said. "These include the impact of artificial intelligence on music creators and companies, the barriers to overseas touring, the threats music spaces face, the challenges small businesses and freelancers experience, and the need to protect music in schools."

His tests focus on barriers in EU tours, ticket touting, growth, problems with AI and the future of the BBC with the music industry.

The tests set out for Prime Minister Burnham are the following:

• Removing costly and prohibitive barriers to touring the EU
• Delivering on the Government’s manifesto pledge to root out ticket touts
• Devolving power to grow music in towns and cities right across the UK
• Ruling out any new copyright exceptions in relation to Artificial Intelligence
• Ensuring that a strong and well funded BBC continues to showcase and support UK music

"We welcome Andy Burnham back in Westminster as the new Prime Minister and look forward to continuing our work championing the music industry with him," Kiehl said.

He acknowledged the new prime minister's commitment to the music industry, having been a Culture Secretary before.

"As a former Culture Secretary and big music fan, he has a deep understanding of what makes the music industry tick. He also knows the challenges facing a sector which is one of the Government’s best international calling cards with the £4.8 billion we generate in annual exports.

"We need greater Government action to deliver on its pre-election pledge to tear down the barriers of red tape and extra costs that make it so hard for UK music creators, performers and crew to tour the EU post-Brexit."

Secondly, he said the new Prime Minister "must speed up long-promised legislation to crack down on ticket touts who rip off millions of music fans by reselling concert and festival tickets at exorbitant prices."

He reflected on UK Music's stance on AI, saying that "AI firms must seek consent if they want to use music, pay creators properly and be transparent about the use of AI. The music industry is not anti-AI - it is pro-creators and pro-business."

He spoke about the future of the BBC in supporting UK Music.

"When it comes to the BBC and its Charter Renewal next year, it’s vital the Government remembers the value of music to the BBC and how important the BBC is in promoting and supporting the work of our fantastic musicians, songwriters, performers, singers and other creators. We need a strong, well-funded BBC that cherishes and supports music at its core."