Music industry urges investment in teachers

Government must recruit "an army of music teachers" to avert the risk of a lost generation of talent, leaders in the music industry have warned.

A manifesto published by UK Music ahead of the general election expected next year, calls on a new government to develop a comprehensive, medium- to long-term music strategy for growth.

In addition to investing millions in music education and boosting the number of teachers, it calls for controls in relation to the use of AI, action on the difficulties faced by artists touring in the European Union and the introduction of a tax credit to encourage new UK music production.

The manifesto also calls for an end to "rip-off" secondary ticketing practices.

UK Music’s Interim Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said: “We run a real risk of a lost generation of musical talent in the UK without urgent action to stem the decline in music education.

“The government must put music education front and centre by recruiting and training an army of new music teachers to give young people the chance to learn to play an instrument and the potential of a rewarding career doing something they love.

“Unless we invest in our young people and give them the opportunity of musical education, there will be an existential threat to the talent pipeline on which the music industry relies."