It’s very rare that I post anything political. But this is worth bringing to everyone’s attraction. Could ‘Turn It Up’ be what we all have been wanting to see for the music industry? Could it save it? Let’s get to it.
It has been a rough few years for the UK music scene. If you are out behind the decks, locked in a studio, or trying to put on nights, you have felt it. It has felt heavy. The very things that keep our community alive have been taking some serious hits.
But a long-term plan called “Turn It Up” just came out from the government bringing a full plan to the table.
Before getting into what is on the way, we have to look at where things actually stand. To understand why this new plan feels like a massive relief, we have to look at the grind we’ve all been dealing with lately.
The Real Picture
For a start, the support for young people getting into music has been quietly disappearing. Years of school budget cuts have left music education in a really bad place. The number of people training to be music teachers dropped by over half between 2010 and 2025. When schools are forced to cut instruments and basic software from classrooms, we lose the next generation of bedroom producers, singers, and players before they even get a chance to start.
Then there are our physical spaces. The financial pressure on nightlife has been relentless.
According to data from the Music Venue Trust, over half of the UK’s grassroots venues made absolutely zero profit last year, scraping by on tiny margins of around 2.5%. Over 175 towns and cities have lost their regular touring spots entirely.
It is not just clubs either. The British Beer and Pub Association showed that almost two pubs closed every single day in early 2026. That is a 26% jump from the year before.
When a pub, club, or independent space closes, it hits everyone. It is not just a missed gig for a local DJ or a live electronic act. It is a loss of income for promoters, sound engineers, security teams, designers, and the bar staff who keep our nights moving. It has felt like our creative spaces are slowly disappearing, which is why this new announcement feels like a crucial turning point.
Is the Tide Finally Turning for UK Music? Inside the Government’s New Support Plan
What is Changing
The new plan brings some actual funding and support back to the network. Here is what is coming.
1. Real Funding for Artists and Teams
The Music Growth Package is getting a £15 million boost, making the total fund £45 million over the next three years. This is set to support more than 2,000 music projects and 40,000 creators. The best part is that this funding is finally expanding to help mid-career artists, managers, independent publishers, and labels. If you have been grinding independently and need financial help to get your next release or tour off the ground, this is a real opportunity.
2. Help for Venues and Events
To help stop the constant closures, the plan brings in some solid relief for physical spaces:
- Business Rates Relief: Venues get a 15% rate relief, with bills frozen for the next two years. This gives venue owners some immediate financial breathing room.
- Fewer Licensing Hurdles: The licensing rules are getting simplified. The number of Temporary Event Notices (TENs) is going up to 20 a year (covering up to 26 event days). Festivals are also getting longer, more secure contracts of 3 to 5 years. For promoters and security teams, this means being able to plan ahead instead of living event-to-event.
- Grassroots Contributions: The government is backing a £1 ticket contribution on stadium and arena shows, which goes straight back into grassroots touring funds.
3. Creating Spaces to Learn
To fix the lack of music in schools, the government is reforming the curriculum.
An incredibly exciting part of this is the Music in Libraries scheme. Backed by £12.5 million and co-designed by the Ed Sheeran Foundation, libraries across England are going to be turned into community music spaces. We are talking about free recording booths, mixing desks, and production gear. For any kid who cannot afford a computer, software, or a decent microphone at home, this is a free place to start creating.
Looking Ahead
It is great to see a plan that treats music like a whole community. When a venue is secure and an event is packed, the local pubs do better, transport gets busy, freelancers get paid, and the whole culture keeps growing.
With Michael Dugher, who used to head up UK Music, appointed as the official Music Champion, we have someone who understands the industry working directly with the policymakers.
The damage of the last few years is not going to vanish overnight, and we still have to figure out streaming royalty splits, AI copyright, and touring in Europe. But for the first time in a while, the conversation is about growing the scene instead of just trying to survive.
The investment is coming, our spaces are getting some protection, and new creatives are getting a place to learn. It is time to get back in the studio, keep pushing underground talent, and see what we can build next.
If you want to read through the actual announcements and data, you can find them here:
- Read the full press release: GOV.UK – Plan to ‘Turn Up’ the Music Industry
- Look at the venue campaigns and data: Music Venue Trust Official Site
- Read the wider industry responses: UK Music
