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UK Music Plan Aims to Create Thousands of Scottish Music Jobs
UK Music has set out a five-point policy framework aimed at expanding Scotland’s music economy positioning the sector as a driver of jobs, exports and tourism growth.
In its Manifesto for Music Scotland, the industry body calls on candidates for the Scottish Parliament to back measures designed to support domestic music businesses, reduce touring barriers, protect grassroots infrastructure and strengthen education and AI policy.
Economic Contribution
According to UK Music’s latest figures, music tourism in Scotland reached a record 2.3 million visitors in 2024, generating £857 million in revenue and supporting 7,160 jobs across the country.
The organisation argues that targeted policy intervention could increase these figures further by unlocking additional domestic growth and export potential.
The manifesto outlines the following priorities:
Develop a Scottish Music Growth Plan
Bring Down Barriers to Exporting Scottish Music
Guarantee High-Quality Music Education for All
Ensure AI Policy Supports Homegrown Creativity
Use Music to Drive Scottish Tourism
Key proposals include:
Establishing a Scottish Music Production Fund to stimulate local recording and production activity.
Addressing post-Brexit touring challenges that have made EU touring financially unviable for many emerging artists.
Introducing a new strategy to support grassroots venues and protect live infrastructure.
Expanding export support for Scottish artists and music businesses.
Strengthening safeguards against unauthorised AI use of copyrighted works.
Enhancing music education pathways to develop future talent.
Embedding music within Scotland’s broader tourism strategy to attract additional international visitors.
UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said:
"Scotland has an incredible array of fantastic bands, performers, musicians, songwriters and music creators that bring in fans from across the world to its brilliant venues. Music is at the heart of a creative industry which helps drive the economy and create jobs. However, there are major challenges when it comes to protecting Scotland`s cherished music venues, tackling the costly barriers to touring at home and abroad, facing the threat posed by AI to music creators, and ensuring we nurture the next generation of musical talent."