I challenge any single one of the Major Labels to show how much of their income they actually spend on music.

They use this term 'Artist & Repertoire' (A&R) which is completely disingenuous because it describes lots of different activities. https://twitter.com/bpi_music/status/1344943973836713985

We know they keep well over 80% of all recording income, but then we see in their accounts they spend 30% of this on "A&R". However, within this figure there are three distinct things happening:

1. Spending on music recording production.

2. Money they pay through to artists as royalties.

3. "Advances" - the money they use to buy-out Master Rights in contracting artists.

Now number 3 is not 'investment' in the UK. It takes assets from a UK creator and adds it to the portfolio of a foreign-based corporation.

Once that cash is spent, the UK loses out on any further income.

If any Major Label wants to break how much they spend on each of these three activities, you know where we are.

Try to be transparent. You might find it refreshing.

@bpi_music

#BrokenRecord

@julianknight15
@KevinBrennanMP
@BrineMP
@AlexDaviesJones
@CliveEfford
@JulieElliottMP
@DamianGreen
@DamianHinds
@MrJohnNicolson
@GilesWatling
@HeatherWheeler

@CommonsDCMS

How much do they spend specifically on the production of music in the UK? How much do they pay through to UK-based artists in royalties? These are the answers we'd all love to know... If they are making one pound in every ten from UK artists.....