Autumn Budget: Comment from Association of Independent Music

27 November 2025 - Press release

Gee Davy, CEO at AIM, said: “We welcome the Chancellor’s clear commitment to improving conditions for workers, especially young people. But SMEs – the talent engines of the UK - including those in the hugely diverse independent music sector, risk being unable to help deliver this vision. While headline figures for the UK music industry look strong, grassroots and independent businesses and entrepreneurs - which release the majority of the UK’s new music – are under strain after years of rising costs post-Brexit and Covid, compounded by increased employment costs. Many are battening down hatches or downsizing just to stay afloat. Targeted support is needed now to prevent decline, and would deliver huge cultural and economic returns. A tax relief for new music creation, modelled on the successful film scheme, and unlocking unused apprenticeship levy funds for salary support would empower the independent music sector to create jobs, skills and growth across music communities throughout the UK.”

Her remarks come in light of UK Music's recent findings that music contributed £8 billion to the UK economy in 2024 with music export revenue reaching £4.8 billion.