The UK Government has announced a significant boost to the country’s music sector through a new £30 million funding package, part of its upcoming Creative Industries Sector Vision. The initiative positions music alongside film and television as a ‘high-growth’ industry vital to the UK’s economic and cultural future. Set to be published in full in the coming week, the plan outlines comprehensive support for emerging artists, live venues, and the broader creative economy.
At the heart of the strategy is the Music Growth Package, which will deliver £10 million in public funding annually over the next three years. This investment aims to empower new talent across the UK through enhanced opportunities for touring, live performance, mentoring, and music exports. The government hopes to support the breakthrough of artists at both domestic and international levels, helping to amplify British music on the world stage.
A significant portion of the funding is also earmarked for grassroots venues – vital spaces that help to support and launch new talent. These funds will help secure the future of local music venues, enabling them to host more emerging artists and contribute to the vibrancy of the UK’s live music scene.
In addition to direct investment, the government will launch a Creative Content Exchange, a new digital platform described as a “trusted marketplace” for licensing and trading digital cultural assets. This initiative is designed to open up fresh revenue streams for creators, rights-holders, and content owners, particularly in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
The plan also addresses long-standing concerns around music streaming. The government will work to broker an industry-led agreement that aims to improve remuneration for artists – particularly legacy performers and session musicians – many of whom have seen little benefit from the rise of streaming services. This new approach seeks to modernise contracts and ensure fairer distribution of streaming revenues.
Another critical element of the proposal is a commitment to strengthening the UK’s copyright and intellectual property regime, particularly in light of the fast-growing influence of artificial intelligence in music creation and consumption. This move responds to concerns voiced by artists and rights organisations over how AI-generated content could undermine creative ownership and revenue.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasised the UK’s global reputation for music excellence in her remarks: “The UK music industry is truly world-leading – home to exceptional talent, iconic venues, and live events that draw fans from around the world. That’s why music will be a key pillar of our Sector Plan, with the power to drive economic growth and create good jobs in every part of our country, as we deliver our Plan for Change.”
As part of the wider Creative Industries Council’s vision to make the UK the world’s leading creative force by 2035, this new funding package signals the government’s renewed commitment to music as both a cultural asset and a powerful driver of economic innovation.
The new investment builds on prior initiatives, including the £85 million Creative Foundations Fund, which supports the survival of cultural buildings and institutions, and Arts Council England’s £446 million National Portfolio, which provides ongoing support to artists and arts organisations across the UK.
To read more on the government’s commitments to supporting the UK music industry, our previous coverage on the 2025 Music export growth scheme can be read here.
