PRS for Music’s Scottish songwriting talent talk music industry issues with SNP MPs
SNP Culture Media spokesperson Brendan O’Hara MP and PRS for Music hosted a number of Scottish MPs, musicians and songwriters at the House of Commons
Scottish National Party (SNP) Culture Media spokesperson, Brendan O’Hara MP, and UK performing right society, PRS for Music, played host to a number of Scottish MPs, musicians and songwriters at a lunch in the House of Commons on Monday (29 January).
The event provided a unique opportunity for music creatives and members of Scottish Parliament to come together and discuss current issues faced by the industry, highlighting the challenges brought by the evolution of digital markets, Brexit and the rapid closure of music venues in recent years.
Among the high-profile guests who attended were film & pop songwriter Gary Clark (Danny Wilson, Sing Street) and hit singer-songwriter Jim Duguid (Speedway, Paolo Nutini, Lukas Graham). The music creators were joined by SNP MPs Pete Wishart, Patrick Grady and Deidre Brock, and Public Affairs representatives from PRS for Music.
For generations, Scotland has produced world-class songwriters and composers. It's a pleasure for me to host the latest crop of talent at the House of Commons to learn more about their concerns and to understand how the SNP can help support their dreams and ambitions in the future.
There is no question that the Scottish music industry is succeeding on a global scale. However, that success is not a given; talent and hard work aren’t enough anymore. In the digital world, success requires the ongoing support of the powers that be to ensure we can remain not just vibrant but viable. Occasions such as this are a wonderful opportunity to have conversations about how politicians and the music industry can work together to safeguard the Scottish music industry from the roots up.
PRS for Music is proud to represent Scottish songwriters, composers and publishers whose talents and skills are renowned around the world. Music is an important part of Scotland’s cultural heritage. Today we discussed with Scottish MPs how we can strengthen and grow the sector to ensure that it is an important part of its cultural future.
Pictured above at the House of Commons, Westminster are: Top L-R: Deidre Brock MP, Gary Clark (songwriter), Pete Wishart MP, Scott Walker (PRS), Rachel Newton (harpist and songwriter), Patrick Grady MP. Bottom L-R: John Mottram (PRS), Charlie Jefferson (composer), Brendan O’Hara MP, Jim Duguid (songwriter)
About PRS for Music
PRS for Music is a world-leading music collective management organisation representing the rights of more than 165,000 talented songwriters, composers and music publishers around the globe. Headquartered in the UK, it works diligently on behalf of its members to grow and protect the value of their rights. With a focus on innovation and integrity, PRS for Music is redefining the global standard for music royalties to ensure creators are paid whenever their musical compositions and songs are streamed, downloaded, broadcast, performed and played in public. In 2022, PRS for Music collected £964m and paid out £836.2m in royalties. prsformusic.com
