Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring music streaming platforms to obtain a broadcasting licence to help ensure that artists are fairly remunerated for their work.

In February 2024, the Intellectual Property Office published independent research examining the potential economic impact of equitable remuneration on performers and the music market in the UK. The research found that applying the ‘broadcast model’ of equitable remuneration to music streaming would likely be disruptive for the music industry with a high likelihood of damaging unintended consequences, which could impact some creators. This Government does not intend to make a further assessment of the merits of the ‘broadcast model’.

This Government recognises the importance of ensuring that music creators are fairly compensated for their work. We are engaging with stakeholders from across the music industry, including streaming platforms, music creators and record labels, through a creator remuneration working group. The working group aims to drive industry-led action on music streaming remuneration and will meet for the fifth time in the coming weeks.