Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Songwriters and Composers: Remuneration

07 December 2022 · 3 other contributors · 4,365 words

Opened by Kevin Brennan Lab Cardiff West

Responding minister: George Freeman

Culture, Media & Sport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Kevin Brennan raised concerns about songwriters and composers: remuneration in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about the lack of progress on Select Committee recommendations regarding music streaming economics
  • Growing problem with composer buyouts where media companies demand upfront waiver of composer royalties
  • Urgent ask for government to update on Intellectual Property Office research into equitable remuneration

Key requests to Government

I urge the Minister to provide an update on the research into equitable remuneration from the Intellectual Property Office and to take a closer interest in driving this work forward. I also ask the Government to explore avenues for resolving the issue of the split between publishing and recording rights, as recommended by the Competition and Markets Authority.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Kevin Brennan Lab Cardiff West

I am concerned about the lack of progress on the recommendations made by the Select Committee on Digital, Culture, Media and Sport regarding the economics of music streaming. The report highlighted issues that require further policy interventions, particularly in relation to the current split between publishing and recording rights which has not been addressed adequately. Additionally, there is a growing problem with composer buyouts, where media companies are demanding up front that composers waive their right to royalties, placing them at a significant disadvantage. This practice could severely impact the future pipeline of songwriters and composers in the UK.

Other contributors (3)
  • Christina Rees

    Congratulates Kevin Brennan on leading the debate and the APPG on music, expresses concern about the proposed text and data-mining exception which could remove licensing requirements and remuneration opportunities for performers and creators. Argues this will have a detrimental effect on their creative work.

  • Helen Hayes Lab Dulwich and West Norwood

    She highlighted the CMA report's conclusion that it is a matter for the Government to determine whether the current split between publishing and recording rights is appropriate and fair, emphasizing the need for policy interventions. She also mentioned France's successful implementation of equitable remuneration.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Commends Kevin Brennan for his work on the subject and highlights the unfair disadvantage faced by songwriters and composers who have become successful via social media streaming platforms but receive minimal payments. Calls for legislative action to address this issue.

Government Response

George Freeman

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Hollobone—in the warmth of your chairmanship in this cool room this morning. I congratulate the hon. Member for Cardiff West on securing the debate and on his ongoing work in this field. The strengths of the UK music industry are a major part of our economy; it contributed £4 billion to our economy in 2021, with exports bringing £2.5 billion into the UK in 2021. A key challenge is to ensure songwriters and composers enjoy fair remuneration without undermining the sector. Since the DCMS Committee's inquiry last year, the IPO has established working groups on metadata and transparency which have made real progress. The CMA published its final report on music streaming; it found no suggestion that publishing revenues were being deliberately suppressed but noted an increase in overall share from 8% to 15%. I propose a roundtable with key voices across the sector to look at the rate of progress, the IP Office and CMA reports, and the AI piece to ensure fair remuneration. The Government's preference is not to legislate; instead, we prefer to encourage industry-led action but reserve our right to legislate if necessary.

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