Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s revised furlough and self-employed support schemes will provide help for some musicians. But according to the Musicians’ Union, a third of their members, who are overwhelmingly freelancers, have been ineligible for the self-employed support scheme. The union also says that over a third of musicians are considering leaving the profession altogether. The UK and devolved governments must see the benefit of this approach too, and do more to support a precious industry that is on the verge of collapse. Taking this route now could have profound creative benefits, long after the pandemic has fallen into memory.

Source: The Guardian September 27, 2020 17:26 UTC