🎪 Rydyn ni'n ôl yn yr Eisteddfod! We're back on the Maes August 1 – 8 with unions from across Wales. Make sure you drop by and say shw’mae!

What will UK music education look like over the next few years? Last week, the government’s proposed reforms to music qualifications were debated in the House of Lords 👇 Read the full story by MU head of education Chris Walters 🔗 https://ow.ly/b2js50ZvLnR

Music Qualifications Reform Debated in House of Lords

Peers from across the political spectrum raised concerns about the Government’s proposed reforms to level 3 music qualifications, with ministers confirming that existing qualifications will remain in place until at least 2030 and announcing a new creative advisory board to help shape the reforms.

ow.ly

⚠️ Generative AI poses an existential threat to creators Call on Government to protect creators' rights! ✍️Sign the petition at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/765199 🔁Repost this message to help us get to 10k and get a response from Government s/o Creators' Rights Alliance

Petition: Protect creators' rights: require AI firms to disclose training data

We ask the Government to introduce a statutory duty requiring AI developers to disclose the copyrighted works used to train generative AI in enough detail for creators to identify use of their work, enforce their rights, negotiate licences and be fairly paid.

petition.parliament.uk

Looking for venues that support musicians? Explore our free database of +150 venues that ✅ Treat musicians fairly ✅ Reject unfair ticketing deals ✅ Support a healthier live music scene 🔗 theMU.org/venues

Find a Grassroots Music Venue That Provides Fair Conditions

MU Fair Play Venues is a a database of small and grassroots music venues we recommend to musicians to be sure of securing a fair deal.

themu.org

Upcoming events for UK musicians: 🗣️ Share your views at a @ukmusic.bsky.social Music roundtable in Northern Ireland 💬 Talk through work-related issues at our Wales & South West England surgery 💡 Explore the future of music education with Make Music Scotland More info at theMU.org.uk/events

We are hiring! Our Wales & South West England team are looking for a part time Regional Officer 🟡 Have you thought about applying? Learn more and apply by Monday 27 July 🟡 Do you know someone who would be a great MU official? Share this post Details: https://bit.ly/4fj3bim

Wales & South West England Regional Officer (part-time) job opening in the Musicians' Union

Part-time, permanent Regional Officer vacancy for the Wales & South West England Region at the Musicians' Union.

bit.ly

A new collective agreement has been agreed between the Musicians' Union and Northern Ballet, securing rates, terms and protections for freelance musicians engaged by the company Read the full story 🔗 https://ow.ly/XPfk50Zrof4 #KeepNorthernBalletLive

New Collective Agreement Agreed for Northern Ballet Sinfonia

A new collective agreement has been agreed between the Musicians' Union and Northern Ballet, securing rates, terms and protections for freelance musicians engaged by the company.

ow.ly

🏳️‍🌈 We're marching at Belfast Pride this Saturday! Are you an MU member? Join us to call for an end to discrimination and the rollback of LGBT+ rights globally 🔗 RSVP at the link in bio 📸 Mark Lundly #BelfastPride

That’s a wrap for day two of Tolpuddle! Tomorrow is the highlight of the weekend, the banner march. Coming along? We’ll be starting behind our stall, the weather is looking fine and there’s some fab live music too.

Good morning from sunny Dorset! Today you’ll find us talking about AI at 1.15pm and working class voices at 3.15pm here at Tolpuddle, or swing by and grab a limited edition postcard with Love Music Hate Racism at our stall.

It’s a Tolpuddle takeover this weekend! You’ll find us in the UniZone where you meet our Regional Organiser Andy, and tomorrow MU General Secretary @naomipohl.bsky.social is speaking in two panels, pop along and say hi!

❗Help protect the biggest employer of musicians in the UK The BBC is facing the biggest threat to its funding in a generation, with the Charter and Agreement up for renewal ✊ The BBC isn't perfect, but it's ours. Let's make sure it stays that way 🔁 Do you agree? Repost to help spread the word

Protect BBC - the Biggest Employer of Musicians in the UK

Protect the biggest employer of musicians in the UK.

themu.org

🌹 The Musicians' Union has officially nominated Andy Burnham to be the next leader of the Labour Party

MU Nominates Andy Burnham for Labour Leader

The Musicians' Union has officially nominated Andy Burnham to be the next leader of the Labour Party.

ow.ly

UK Music can reveal that a record 24.7 million music tourists attended concerts in the UK in 2025, up 4.8% from 23.5 million in 2024. Read the full story here: tinyurl.com/4fnpvhmd

Freelance musicians! Are you ready for Making Tax Digital? ⏰ Submit your first quarterly update to HMRC by Friday 7 August ❓This applies to sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50k in 2024/25 🔗 Find out more at theMU.org/MTDfIT #FreelanceMusicians

Government must do more to ensure freelance musicians can build successful, sustainable careers in the UK That was MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl's message for MPs this week Read our full report 🔗 https://musiciansunion.org.uk/news/mu-highlights-challenges-facing-freelance-musicians-in-parliament

MU Highlights Challenges Facing Freelance Musicians in Parliament

Musicians’ Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl tells MPs that, despite improvements in workers’ rights, freelance musicians are still facing significant challenges.

musiciansunion.org.uk

🌱 Career opportunities for musicians and MU members 🧵👇

✈️ Good news for musicians travelling in the EU The European Parliament and the Council have provisionally agreed new air passenger rights rules that should make it easier to take instruments on planes ✊ The clearer airline rules come after 14 years of campaigning 🔗 Read more below

MU Welcomes Provisional EU Agreement for Musical Instruments on Planes

The European Parliament and the Council have provisionally agreed on revised air passenger rights rules to improve air travel for musicians, offering clearer rules for instruments on planes after year...

musiciansunion.org.uk

Support the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign's Frontline Schools Appeal! @ukrainesol.bsky.social are looking for donations to help children continue their education safely during air raid alerts, such as books, craft supplies and musical instruments 👇 Learn more and find out how to donate

MU Affiliates to Ukraine Solidarity Campaign and Supports Frontline Schools Appeal

The MU has formally affiliated to the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign (USC) and is encouraging members to support a new aid appeal for schools and communities in eastern Ukraine.

musiciansunion.org.uk

Congratulations to Arit Eminue MBE, the new Chair of the UK Music Diversity Taskforce! We look forward to working with you and @ukmusic.bsky.social for a fairer, more inclusive music industry

UK Music@ukmusic.bsky.social · last mo.

UK Music is delighted to appoint Arit Eminue MBE as the new Chair of the UK Music Diversity Taskforce. Arit will lead the UK Music Diversity Taskforce’s mission to improve equity, diversity, and inclusion across the music industry workforce. Read here: tinyurl.com/2rwhvc34

📣 Based in the Midlands? Check out news and upcoming events in our Midlands region - and find a Fair Play Venue near you 🔗theMU.org/contact/midlands-office

❗ Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation

⚠️⚠️🔴 Red weather warning issued 🔴⚠️⚠️ Extreme heat across parts of central/southern England and Wales Wednesday 0900 - Thursday 2100 Latest info 👉 bit.ly/WxWarning Stay #WeatherAware ⚠️

❓What could new V Levels mean for music education? MU National Organiser for Education, Health and Wellbeing Chris Walters explores what government's reform of level 3 technical qualifications could mean for access, progression and existing courses:

What Could New V Levels Mean for Music Education?

MU National Organiser for Education, Health and Wellbeing Chris Walters explores what the government's reform of level 3 technical qualifications could mean for music education, including its impact on access, progression and existing courses.

ow.ly

🎶Music education should be accessible to all regardless of ability to pay That was our message for MPs this week in a meeting about the future of creative education The union raised stagnant funding, university course closures and worsening conditions for music teachers - and how to address them:

MU Addresses MPs on Music Education

The MU addressed MPs on music education, warning that stagnant funding, university course closures and worsening conditions for teachers are putting the future of music education at risk. The General Secretary also followed up on her meeting with Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

ow.ly

Did you know refugee musicians can access one year of free MU membership? Musicians escaping famine, conflict, and persecution should still be able to continue building their career in the UK 🔗 theMU.org/Refugee-Membership 🔁 Do you know a refugee musician? Share this post #RefugeeWeek

How we can make gigs more inclusive for Autistic musicians and listeners? Autism consultant Robyn Rocket offers tips for venues, promoters and gig-goers to be more accommodating 👉 https://ow.ly/OPlj50ZcL2P #AutisticPrideDay

💛 Take part in 10 simple acts this #RefugeeWeek to stand with those seeking sanctuary and connect with your community Interested in doing more? Explore the resource packs to organise your own event and get young people + local businesses involved

Andy Burnham’s pledged to cut to business rates for pubs, clubs and music venues by 20% It’s part of his commitment to bring people together and make life affordable again #ForUs 🌹

Burnham pledges to review NICs increase and cut business rates for pubs

Labour candidate in Makerfield byelection says party has ‘got it wrong on small businesses’

theguardian.com

💛Caring as a freelancer comes with its own set of challenges Make sure you know your rights as an unpaid carer and take time to look after your own wellbeing 🔗Advice and support at theMU.org/UnpaidCarers #CarersWeek

Rights and Wellbeing of Unpaid Carers | Musicians' Union

Advice on carers’ rights, and how can they take care of their own health and wellbeing while taking care of someone else.

themu.org