UK music bodies urge PM Burnham to lift EU touring barriers

Andy Burnham became the United Kingdom's new Prime Minister on July 20, 2026, succeeding Keir Starmer, and the nation's music industry is urging him to translate his well-documented personal passion for music into concrete national policy. The former Mayor of Greater Manchester and Culture Secretary is known as a genuine fan, with a history of attending iconic gigs by bands like The Stone Roses and The Smiths and actively promoting Manchester's music scene during his mayoralty.

In response to his appointment, the UK's music trade bodies have outlined a clear set of priorities for the new government. Tom Kiehl, chief executive of UK Music, published a five-point plan, framing it as key tests for the Prime Minister to support the sector, which generates 4.8 billion pounds in annual exports. The central demands include removing post-Brexit barriers to touring in the European Union, accelerating legislation to crack down on ticket touting, and using devolved powers to grow regional music economies across the UK.

The industry also calls for stronger copyright protections to guard against the unauthorized use of music by artificial intelligence firms, emphasizing the need for consent,...