The BBC should be the gold standard on employment rights We’ve joined forces with arts and entertainment unions to write to Secretary of State for Culture Lisa Nandy outlining core principles that should guide the BBC Charter review Read the letter in full 🔗 https://ow.ly/uWaF50XN6oc #BBCCharter

New Arts Council England review backs expanding the theatre tax relief to touring, longer funding cycles, and ditching “Let’s Create” MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl explores the report’s key recommendations for musicians – and where more work is needed 🔗 https://ow.ly/qEAR50XN674 #MusiciansUnion

✊ Access isn't a luxury - it's the standard Whether you're a performer, teacher, or industry professional, access and inclusion in the music industry is always important 🧵

⭐ History made! We've distributed over £2m in royalties to members for the first time ever

✊ The landmark Employment Rights Bill has passed both Houses of Parliament - meaning the single biggest upgrade to workers' rights for generations will soon become law! Read our full response 🔗 https://ow.ly/zGlk50XKtH9 #WorkersRights Labour Unions

BREAKING: Labour's landmark Employment Rights Bill has PASSED both Houses of Parliament. Its new rights will be transformational. This is a massive step forward in delivering Labour's New Deal for Working People - passed by a Labour Government, delivered with the labour movement. Let's celebrate 🎉

✊ People want strong and effective AI regulation! That's the message from Government's artificial intelligence regulation consultation - with more than 11,500 responses...

What's on for musicians over the next few weeks? Explore upcoming workshops for MU members: ⚖️ Legal webinar on music contracts for Scotland members 🧘‍♀️ Weekly online Feldenkrais sessions 💛 Weekly guided meditation 🔌 Free PAT testing in Birmingham

"If the UK and EU really want to support touring artists, then political will is needed to address the barriers those artists still face" MU Head of International Dave Webster writes for Encompass on the impact of Brexit, and how to unlock a better touring future for UK and EU artists 👇

✊Music belongs to everyone - of all abilities This Disability History Month we’re shining a light on inclusion in the music industry 👇 Explore our funding tips, networking opportunities, and resources to support disabled musicians #UKDHM

Honoured to have represented @wearethemu.bsky.social at #NaTrads. The MU is fighting for fair pay, for stronger protections for performers, for venues, for education that keeps our traditions alive. Each nominee in this category is a shining example of the very best o innovation upon tradition.

✈️ Brexit has made EU touring extremely difficult We're proud to be part of the new Cultural Exchange Coalition pushing to remove touring barriers ✊Icons Dame Evelyn Glennie, Jools Holland OBE and Level 42 bassist Mark King are also backing the coalition 🔗 Read more: https://ow.ly/7RAk50XE7i2

🏆Charlie Baxter is this year's winner of the @youthmusic.bsky.social Inspirational Music Leader award! Read about his work in education to break down barriers and make music truly accessible for young people 🔗 ow.ly/gk6P50Xz1sk

❗The University of Nottingham has suspended music courses for new students - while it decides whether to terminate the courses permanently 🧵

Over 30 buskers went to the last full Westminster Council meeting to speak to councillors about finding new, viable busking pitches 🧵👇 #BackYourBuskers

❗The MU website is currently down due to the global Cloudflare outage Members can still contact the union via [email protected] or your regional team for advice and assistance Read more about the outage via BBC News:

The @ukmusic.bsky.social economic report shows a record year for the music industry - but artists still face barriers on many fronts 🧵

🚨 It’s the first year that the Trafalgar Square pitch is closed for Christmas without Leicester Square to fall back on This means there are no high-profile, viable, accessible and safe amplified busking pitches in Westminster

As the music industry starts to sign major AI deals, we need to put human creators at the centre of the AI opportunity The Council of Music Makers (CMM) is calling for an industry wide standard guaranteeing music-maker consent, control and compensation

❓Did you know AI is already affecting job security for creative workers? 68% of creative workers surveyed felt their job security was reduced as a result of generative AI 🔗 https://ow.ly/gsCG50Xlaon

🍿Calling all MU members! We’ve teamed up with Vue to get you up to 30% off standard cinema tickets in time for the holiday season 🔗 http://musiciansunion.org.uk/news/love-movies-mu-launches-discount-vue-cinema-tickets-for-members

📣 Are you a creative freelancer in Scotland? @scottishtuc.bsky.social have created the Fair Work for Freelancers Checklist, calling for ✅Greater pay security ✅ Clearer guidance on royalties ✅ Better access for trade unions

❗MU statement on Manchester Pride entering liquidation

🚨 Dumfries and Galloway Council is considering axing its instrumental music service Do you live or work in the area? Take part in the consultation online or in person before Sunday 23 November

UK Music is delighted to introduce its practical Five Ps resource! Designed to boost diversity and inclusion across the music industry, it is an invaluable toolkit for music organisations and businesses. Click here for all you need to know: tinyurl.com/yjpkey9s

A new French customs regulation means more hoops to jump through if you are taking merch to France in a van as part of your music work Learn more 🔗 https://ow.ly/PupT50Xh0YG #EUTouring #CarryOnTouring

📣 Calling all local councillors and political party members! Support music and musicians where you are with our dedicated resource hub — featuring briefings and toolkits on issues ranging from AI and music to strengthening local music economies 🔗 https://ow.ly/uK2u50Xh0UO

Scotland Demands Better! Join over 5,000 people in Edinburgh for the march and rally against poverty on Saturday 25 October 🔗 https://ow.ly/ySTE50XgZoi Scotland Demands Better is a coalition campaign launched by The Poverty Alliance

✊ Your music should not be used to train AI without your consent A recent study of creative workers shows that the effects of Generative AI are profound - and that urgent action is needed Stats in thread 🧵👇

✊The MU supports Congo Week Congo Week (19-25 October) is a global week of learning and action to support frontline organisers and communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 🧵 #CongoWeek

💛 It's World Menopause Day How can workplaces support those experiencing menopause? Join our informal session for MU members and staff next week to chat, ask questions and share experiences #WorldMenopauseDay theMU.org.uk/events/mu-menopause-cafe

📣 Calling all music educators in Scotland! UK Music want to hear from you Join an online roundtable next week to help develop their Manifesto for Music ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections in 2026 🔗 Sign up: https://luma.com/rgqlunlv #ScotlandMusic #MusicTeacher

Are you a performer, songwriters or composer in Scotland? UK Music want to hear from you! Join an online roundtable next week to help develop their Manifesto for Music ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections in 2026 🔗 Sign up: https://luma.com/yjk8zgdc #ScotlandMusic

Want to get involved in workshops and discussions as a musician? Upcoming events for MU members include: 🎻 Learn about inclusive recruitment in orchestras & choirs 🔌 Free portable appliance testing in Cardiff 📢 Contribute to the Manifesto for Music for the Welsh Parliament elections

📣 Calling all performers, songwriters and composers in Wales! Contribute to the development of UK Music policy and the creation of the Manifesto for Music for the Welsh Parliament elections in 2026 👉 RSVP to secure your place: https://luma.com/m7390jyf

Did you know that today is World Sight Day? RNIB has a dedicated Music Team led by professional musicians with lived experience of sight loss Learn more about their work: https://ow.ly/rlLK50X52k9 #WorldSightDay

As a full-time music producer and part-time music teacher it's time to get involved indeed. 👏🏾 Respect @wearethemu.bsky.social #YupYup

Are you based in Scotland? Apply for a bursary for Resonate 2025! Scottish Music Industry Association has opened applications for a limited number of free bursaries - find out more and apply now 🔗 https://ow.ly/e0QF50X6W56

Happy World Teacher's Day! This year's theme is collaboration, from teacher training to education policy It's also at the core of the trade union movement, where we work together to improve music teachers' working lives 🙌 Learn more & get involved 🔗 https://ow.ly/r02f50X6eXF #WorldTeachersDay

We're proud to sponsor the 2025 Black Welsh Music Awards! Celebrating the exceptional talent, creativity and contributions of Black musicians and artists across Wales Learn more and look out for the winners at https://blackwelshmusicawards.org.uk/ #BlackWelshMusicAwards

The MU condemns yesterday's terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester Synagogues should be safe spaces for Jewish communities, and targeting a place of worship on Yom Kippur is a direct attack on Jewish people’s rights to celebrate their religion

⚠️ Big tech eats art Labour Conference passed a motion on AI and Our Rights this week – including specific policy measures to strengthen copyright and fix music streaming They include fair pay, consent, labelling, contract adjustment and rights reversion 🎨 Simon Heard for the Musicians' Union

It's been a busy few days at #Lab25! We're calling on MPs to change the law to protect musicians from the impacts of music streaming and AI And we’re making sure touring in the EU stays on the agenda Thanks to everyone who’s stopped by the Musicians’ Union stand, including 👇

There’s money in music – but it’s not going to musicians Major corporations and big tech companies are making billions of pounds, while nearly half of musicians earn less than £14k a year

We warmly welcome the lifting of the two child benefit cap Child poverty is one of the defining issues of the last 15 years This single measure will lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty

🎶 London is bursting with culture & community and music is at the heart of it. Busking is a long-standing tradition in Westminster that must be protected. 🎤 Back our musicians - @wearethemu.bsky.social Sign the petition 👇🏾 www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/we...

Berkshire for Europe is proud to stand with the @wearethemu.bsky.social in their campaign to Fix EU Touring post-Brexit 🎼Creativity should flow freely across borders 🎶 ✈️ Touring should not be a bureaucratic maze 🚧 #BehindEveryMusician #FixEUTouring #LetMusicMove

🎶 Ready to take control of your music career? Join us & @wearethemu.bsky.social on Sept 29 in Leeds & Sept 30 in Birkenhead for 'Get Release Ready'! Learn how to navigate the music industry and maximise your earnings. Don’t miss out! 👉 www.prsformusic.com/events/make-... #MusicBusiness

Closes this Wednesday, we're still taking applications, so get busy! ( Or share with your colleagues : ) #CULTCymru = Creative Unions Learning Together Wales @bectu.bsky.social @equityuk.bsky.social @wearethemu.bsky.social

“AI generated music will not only devalue MU members’ work, it could replace it” MU General Secretary @naomipohl.bsky.social seconded the composite motion on AI and the creative industries at @tuc.org.uk Conference 2025 ✅ Motion passed