The Covid-19 pandemic has worn out one in three jobs within the UK music trade, a commerce physique has mentioned, because it referred to as for presidency assist to assist the sector get well.
The variety of jobs fell 35% to 128,000 in 2020 from 197,000 in 2019 because the pandemic shut down dwell occasions and compelled studios to shut their doorways, UK Music mentioned in its annual report on Wednesday.
Some 69,000 jobs have been misplaced in a sector the place three quarters of employees are self-employed and didn’t obtain assist from authorities assist schemes, in accordance with the “This Is Music 2021” report.
The music trade’s contribution to the UK economic system fell 46% to three.1 billion kilos ($4.26 billion) in 2020 from 5.8 billion kilos in 2019, the report added. Exports fell 23% to 2.3 billion kilos.
“The previous 18 months have been exceptionally difficult for the UK music trade, with billions wiped off the worth of the sector – however we’re decided to look to the long run and deal with restoration,” UK Music Chief Government Jamie Njoku-Goodwin mentioned.
UK Music referred to as on the federal government to introduce tax incentives and employment-boosting measures, and to assist musicians and crew cope with the paperwork and further prices concerned in touring mainland Europe after Brexit.
It mentioned it additionally desires a everlasting discount within the value-added tax (VAT) price on tickets and dwell music occasions, extra funding and assist for music exports in addition to funding for music schooling and for the self-employed.
After imposing the primary nationwide lockdown in March 2020, the British authorities introduced a 2-billion-pound tradition restoration fund to assist museums, cinemas, theatres, cinemas and humanities venues.
Leisure venues have since reopened and late summer time festivals together with the Studying and Leeds twin occasions resumed.
(Reuters)