UK Music Responds To New Report From MPs Demanding Action To Tackle Misogyny In Music

30 January 2024 - Press release

UK Music Interim Chief Executive Tom Kiehl has responded to a new report from MPs that demands urgent action to tackle misogyny and discrimination in the music industry. 

The move follows the publication of the report today (Tuesday January 30) from the Women and Equalities Committee, which outlined its concerns about misogyny in the sector. 

The committee said the problems were “amplified in music by the high number of freelance workers in the sector—which gives rise to significant power imbalances in working relationships and precarious employment practices”. 

UK Music, the collective voice of the music industry, gave evidence to the inquiry and outlined the work already under way to tackle misogyny, discrimination and harassment - including the sector’s commitment to further boost equity, diversity and inclusion. 

Responding to the report, UK Music Interim Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said: 
“There must be zero tolerance for misogyny and all forms of discrimination in the music industry, which is working hard to tackle these issues. 

"We recognise there is still more to do, that misogyny continues to exist and we are striving to bring about positive changes. We are working right across the sector to ensure the music industry is aninclusive place for everyone to work. 

 “Our unrelenting drive for change will continue as we tackle misogyny by calling it out and changing practices that disadvantage or hinder women. 

“We will continue to make further changes by ensuring equality of pay and promotion, gender balance, and boosting transparency over pay and conditions. 

“This will build on UK Music and its Diversity Taskforce's Ten Point Plan and 5 P's initiatives, the principles of which are echoed in the report."

“This report rightly recognises the freelance nature of the music industry, where many are self-employed. We are pleased to see that the report recommends to government that they introduce protections for freelance creatives that we have sought in our recent manifesto.

“We will continue our work with the Government to drive out misogyny, bullying, abuse and harassment to ensure the UK music business is a welcoming place for women to work and pursue a career.

“We will also continue to engage with the development of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) and other proposals to ensure working our sector is a positive experience for all.”