£30m boost to help UK remain top of the pops

Government funding includes help for smaller venues

- By Paul Jeeves

A £30MILLION investment will help “turbocharge” growth to ensure the nation's music industry remains top of the pops.

The cash bonanza marks a major victory for the Express Strike A Chord Crusade as our pressure has helped force the Government to identify music as a priority “high-growth sub-sector”.

The Music Growth Package, which more than doubles current funding from £4.1million to up to £10m annually for three years, promises to deliver benefits for artists, venues and music lovers by creating new touring, performance, mentoring and export opportunities for emerging talent to help them break through.

There will also be a significant uplift in funding for the grassroots sector to support small venues and help them to provide a platform for more high potential artists.