Calvin Harris: ‘The UK government is treating music industry like shit’
Calvin Harris has said that ‘the UK government is treating music industry like shit’.
Making the comments in a post on Instagram yesterday, Scottish DJ and producer Harris said that the UK government had “lost sight of what life is about,” highlighting the massive contributions the music industry brings to the economy.
“As usual the UK government treating music industry like shit; contributes 5bn to the economy, generates massive tax revenues for NHS and other public services,” Harris said. “Besides that, culture is extremely fucking important…you’ve lost sight of what life is about… you’d rather live in a world of supermarkets and pharmaceutical drugs.”
Harris’ comments coincide with the events industry’s Global Day of Action today (30th), calling for more government support, including grants and increased furlough schemes, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Check out the post below.
In July, following various campaigns by the likes of Music Venues Trust (MVT) and #LetTheMusicPlay, the UK government have announced the first details of a £1.57billion support package for arts and culture institutions which remain closed amid the coronavirus pandemic. The package includes £270m in loans and £880million in grants for music venues, theatres, museums, heritage sites and galleries.
As of August 2020, there are approximately 4.76 million self-employed people in the UK – 14.5% of those employed. That figure is a record 238,000 fewer than in the previous quarter. The majority of those working in the music industry are freelance or self-employed, and the industry is expected to take yet another hit as a result of new measures regarding self employment, which were announced last week.
