In July 2025, the UK’s three major record companies - Universal Music UK, Sony Music UK and Warner Music UK - each made a formal commitment to offer per diem payments to songwriters attending their writing sessions. These labels offer per diem payments on a non-recoupable basis.
In addition, the BPI and the Association of Independent Music (AIM) announced a set of principles encouraging all UK record companies to ensure that songwriters are not left out of pocket when invited to a writing session. These principles recommend that all labels provide at least one of the following:
- Reimbursement of reasonable expenses
- A fixed per diem payment
- Other forms of direct financial support
- Transparency with featured artists (i.e. artists signed to the label) about whether songwriter support is treated as a recoupable recording cost or not.
