UK Music Chief Welcomes Creative Industries Sector Plan and Cash Boost to Power Next Generation of Music Talent

21.06.2025: UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl has welcomed the Government's Music Growth Package investment of up to £30 million to boost the next generation of musical talent.

He responded to the Creative Industries Sector Plan which forms part of the Government's wider Industrial Strategy and aims to grow the economy and deliver the Government's Plan for Change. The plans include measures to support grassroots sector and help UK artists break through on a domestic and international stage

The Plan identifies the music industry as a high-growth sub-sector along with film and TV, video games, and advertising and marketing. The plan's Music Growth Package - which more than doubles current government funding from £4.1 million to up to £10 million annually for three years - will deliver concrete benefits for artists, venues and music lovers, the Government says.

It says the proposals will create new touring, performance, mentoring and export opportunities for emerging talent to help them break through at home and abroad - and deliver a significant uplift in funding for the grassroots sector to support small venues and help them to platform more high-potential artists.

UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said:

"UK Music welcomes the Government's Creative Industries Sector Plan and the important status that it gives to music. The Sector Plan rightly recognises our world-beating £7.6 billion music sector as an essential high growth driving part of the creative industries.

"It is hugely welcome that funding packages and programmes are being made available to turbocharge the music industry and we are incredibly excited at the opportunity to be working with the Government to deliver on this."

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

"The UK music industry is truly world-leading - home to exceptional talent, iconic venues, and live events that draw fans from around the world.

"That's why music will be a key pillar of our Sector Plan, with the power to drive economic growth and create good jobs in every part of our country, as we deliver our Plan for Change.

"From helping artists tour internationally to supporting grassroots venues, this plan will ensure the music industry continues to thrive for generations to come."

The Government's ambition is for the UK to be the best place in the world to make, perform and enjoy music, as part of the wider growth agenda, said the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

The package builds on existing creative infrastructure investments, including the new £85 million Creative Foundations Fund to ensure cultural buildings and institutions - including music venues - are fit for future generations, and complements Arts Council England's £446 million National Portfolio funding that continues to support artists, creatives and organisations.

Developed in partnership with the Creative Industries Taskforce, Creative Industries Council, (CIC) as well as businesses, devolved governments, regions, experts and other stakeholders, the Sector Plan aims to establish Britain as the world's leading creative superpower by 2035.

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