The plan recognises the vital role of songwriters and composers, acknowledging that while the music industry is interconnected, "this all starts with music creators".
As part of the plan, the government will invest £45 million over three years through a new Music Growth Package. This includes £15 million through Arts Council England to support music creators, including songwriters and composers.
The Ivors Academy has been engaging with Arts Council England to help ensure this funding is accessible to songwriters and composers, with straightforward application processes that work for individual creators.
Roberto Neri, CEO of The Ivors Academy said: "We welcome the £45 million Music Growth Package and the government's recognition that the music industry starts with its creators. We look forward to working closely with the government and Arts Council England to ensure this investment delivers meaningful, direct benefits for songwriters and composers, helping more creators build sustainable careers. We also welcome Michael Dugher back to the music industry as the government’s Music Champion.
This plan is an important step, but there is much more to do. Songwriters and composers are the foundation of the music industry, and they must share fairly in the value they create while received the protections they are due."
The plan also recognises the importance of music education in developing the next generation of creators. Research by The Ivors Academy found that 96% of composers nominated for or winning The Ivors Classical Awards learned at least one instrument as a child, while 94% had opportunities to perform music when they were young.
To strengthen music education, the government has committed to:
- Reforming the National Curriculum from September 2028 to give every child a strong foundation in music.
- Abolishing the EBacc from this academic year, following a 47% decline in students studying music since its introduction in 2010.
- Launching the National Centre for Arts and Music Education this September.
- Establishing a new Music Hub network from August 2027.
The government has also announced that Michael Dugher, former CEO of UK Music and former Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, will become Music Champion to help drive delivery of the plan.
The Ivors Academy welcomes the government's commitment to strengthening the UK's music industry and supporting creators. Working with government last year, the Academy helped secure non-recoupable per diems for songwriters writing with the UK's major record labels, but believes ambitious and far-reaching action is needed to ensure songwriters and composers receive fair value and can have sustainable careers.
