Committee calls on Government to ban NDAs to tackle misogyny in music industry
A report by the WEC found 'misogyny remains deeply rooted in the music industry' and 'meaningful change requires both cultural and structural reform', as the committee also called for changes to the Equality Act and the Employment Rights Bill to ensure freelancers are fully protected.
Speaking about her experience in the report, which was published on Wednesday, singer Celeste told the committee: 'What is most prevalent in the daily experience of being female in the music industry is this idea of an ingrained bias, or even an unconscious, sexist bias.'
The WEC called for improved protections and reporting mechanisms, after finding that sexual harassment remains pervasive in the industry, with reporting rates low due to fear of retaliation, and added that women in music still faced unequal pay and ageism.
It urged the Government to bring forward proposals to prohibit the use of NDAs and other forms of confidentiality agreements in cases involving sexual abuse, sexual harassment or sexual misconduct, bullying or harassment, and discrimination relating to a protected characteristic.
The WEC said doing so would 'demonstrate decisive leadership and ensure that the silencing of victims of abuse will no longer be tolerated'.
It also underlined the 'inadequacy' of legal protections for freelance musicians, saying the Equality Act did not 'clearly extend' to freelancers and those working under temporary conditions such as 'depping', which means substituting for another musician.
The report also highlighted challenges faced by parents and carers in the music industry, saying freelancers in particular struggled with 'inadequate maternity support and the high cost of childcare'.
The WEC called on the Government to amend the Employment Rights Bill to align maternity allowance with statutory maternity pay to allow self-employed women 'greater flexibility during maternity leave and remove unfairness within the system'.
Chairwoman of the WEC and Labour MP Sarah Owen said: 'One year on from the Women and Equalities Committee's report on misogyny in music, significant issues within the industry remain unaddressed and appear to be on repeat.
'WEC's 2024 report warned women pursuing careers in music face endemic misogyny and discrimination in a sector dominated by self-employment.
'It laid bare a boys' club where sexual harassment and abuse is common, and the non-reporting of such incidents is high.
'The misuse of NDAs is a major concern.
'NDAs are frequently used to silence victims of harassment and abuse, often under coercive circumstances.
'The report presents evidence of the psychological toll these agreements take and the power imbalances that make them particularly harmful in the music industry.
'Women working in music feel rightly frustrated at the lack of support from the Government in tackling the challenges they face.
'Female artists should not encounter limitations in opportunity or have to work far harder to get the recognition their ability and talent merits.
'We urge ministers to accept the recommendations in our new report and help set the music industry on a path of lasting change free from discrimination and harassment.'
The report also called on the Government to support the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, a new independent body designed to address misconduct across the creative sectors, by 'providing it with the legal assurances it needs to undertake its crucial work'.
The UK Government has been contacted for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
3 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Just work in a cupboard, says SNP minister in row over soaring business rates
Businesses can avoid paying high rates by setting up in cupboards, the Deputy First Minister has said. Kate Forbes said the most profitable firms are 'smaller ones' which can operate from a 'cupboard, where there are no rates'. Her suggestion came during a Scottish parliament debate on whether the 'current rates regime' prevents companies from 'scaling up'. Ms Forbes admitted the rates system is 'based on an older version of the economy' which did not apply in 'our new, tech-driven environment'. Last night Scottish Tory economy spokesman Murdo Fraser said: 'Kate Forbes' view of how businesses work is so detached from reality that she might as well have claimed Narnia is at the back of the cupboard. 'She must know it's nonsense to suggest that manufacturing, hospitality, retail or a host of other businesses could operate in this way. 'And it's downright insulting to downplay the cost of rates, when the SNP withheld relief available elsewhere in the UK, putting Scottish firms at a huge disadvantage.' At Holyrood, Scottish Tory MSP Liam Kerr asked Ms Forbes: 'Does the Government think that the way in which the current rates regime is structured militates against small businesses scaling up?' She replied that it did not because of the small business bonus scheme which she said 'remains the most generous across the United Kingdom'. Ms Forbes, who is also Economy Secretary, said the 'rates system often does not take into account the fact that some of the most profitable businesses are the smaller ones'. She said: 'A start-up can be launched from a cupboard, where there are no rates, while a large and perhaps less profitable business has to pay them.' Speaking in the Holyrood debating chamber on Wednesday, Ms Forbes said the rates system is 'based on an older version of the economy, in which the size of properties was linked to profitability, and that is just not the case in our new, tech-driven environment'. Commenting last night, Glasgow-based businessman Donald MacLeod said: 'This is very disappointing – the SNP appears to have given up on business. 'Businesses in the hospitality sector are falling by the wayside and finding it really tough – and there's no support there. 'For some, a cupboard might be ok – if you were a one-person business – but clearly it doesn't work for nightclubs, bars and restaurants. 'We need to be incentivising and supporting businesses – not telling them to set up a in a cupboard. 'This is mind-boggling stupidity from Kate Forbes - it is utterly absurd. 'Businesses are on their knees - and we have a government which is economically illiterate.' It came as Ms Forbes criticised about the impact of the SNP's policies after questioning why there is an 'obsession' with income tax rates in Scotland. Following a keynote speech at economic think tank Adam Smith House, she said: 'In Scotland there seems to be an obsession with income tax as though it's the only tax businesses and individuals have to grapple with.' Scotland is the only part of Britain not cutting business rates for shops this year. The Welsh Government announced it will provide 40 per cent relief for all firms in the retail, hospitality and leisure industries. It came after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a 40 per cent relief package for the same sectors in England as part of her Budget. But the SNP government Budget unveiled in December means retailers in Scotland businesses are receiving less support than those in other parts of Britain this year. Businesses are also struggling with the UK Government's hike in National Insurance employers' contributions, which began in April. It emerged in January that companies based in Scotland will pay £55million more tax than those in England because SNP ministers have not delivered on a promise to give them a level playing field. SNP ministers confirmed that firms based in larger premises in Scotland will pay £54.7million more in business rates than those in England in the year beginning in April. Shops will pay £9.1million more than those south of the Border, while offices will pay an additional £6.4million and hotels face an extra £2.5million bill. In its 2021 manifesto, the SNP promised to ensure that 'the largest businesses pay the same combined poundage in Scotland as in England'.
Telegraph
39 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Starmer agrees to spend 3.5pc on defence after bowing to Nato pressure
Britain has agreed to significantly ramp up defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP after bowing to pressure from Nato. Mark Rutte, the alliance's secretary-general, said a 'historic' decision had been made to invest more on tanks, fighter jets, air defence, drones and long-range missiles at a meeting of defence ministers in Brussels. The Dutchman proposed a rise in defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP, and a further 1.5 per cent on related infrastructure, to meet the challenges posed by a resurgence of Moscow. It was only on Monday that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in his strategic defence review promised to spend 3 per cent of GDP on the military by the end of the next parliament, but failed to explain how that would be funded. That plan was undermined within 24 hours, after Nato demanded the Government raise that figure to 3.5 per cent. Now that Sir Keir has agreed to the further increase, he will face renewed pressure to set out concrete plans on how he can pay for it. It is expected that Nato's first spending plan in over a decade will be signed off when the alliance's leaders gather for their annual summit in The Hague later this month. The dramatic increase in defence spending was brokered under pressure from US president Donald Trump, who has suggested he could withdraw American support for the alliance if its members fail to hit expenditure targets. Mr Rutte acknowledged that governments started to spend more on defence in the wake of complaints by the US president during his first term in the White House. But the Nato chief added: 'We don't have to do this because of an audience of one, we have to do this to keep one billion people safe.' 'It's important the UK gets there' Earlier, Pete Hegseth, the US secretary of defence, singled out the importance of Britain meeting the new goals in response to a question over Sir Keir's pledge to spend only 3 per cent of GDP on defence. 'We think everyone is going to get there, we really do. It's important they do. It's important that the UK gets there,' Mr Hegseth told reporters on the sidelines of the meeting in Brussels. He argued the extra investment by European allies and Canada was crucial to keep pace with a pledge by Mr Trump to spend $1 trillion on defence in an upcoming budget. 'When you consider the threats that we face, the urgency in the world, it's critical,' Mr Hegseth said. 'We don't need more flags, we need more fighting formations. We don't need more conferences. We need more capabilities, hard power.' Critics have argued that American demands for European governments to invest more in defence will hurt spending on hospitals, schools and other civilian projects. But Mr Rutte said the investment in weapons was needed more than ever, as Russia currently produces as much ammunition every three months as Nato does in a year. 'For the next three years, we are fine, but we have to start now. Otherwise three, four, five years from now, we are really under threat,' he added. 'I may be using rhetoric here, but I really mean it that you will have to get your Russian language course or go to New Zealand.' Talks on the exact details of the defence spending pledge to be made in The Hague will continue in the weeks running up to the summit. Departing the meeting in Brussels, Mr Hegseth said he was confident that there would be a deal. 'Countries in there are well exceeding 2 per cent, and we think very close, almost near consensus, on a 5 per cent commitment for Nato in The Hague later this month,' he said. Mr Hegseth said it was 'heartening' to hear his European counterparts agree to White House demands to become less reliant on America for the continent's security. The Pentagon chief earlier this year shocked Nato allies by insisting that America could no longer be Europe's main security guarantor, as it had to focus Washington's attention on the growing threat posed by China. 'I have total confidence we will get there,' Mr Rutte said on Thursday. 'Look at the Russian threat. The Chinese build-up. We live in a different world. We live in a more dangerous world.' Spain emerged as the country diplomats were most concerned about hitting the target, after its defence minister claimed it could meet the new capability targets while spending just 2 per cent of GDP. Margarita Robles later insisted Madrid would not veto any agreement, even if it did not agree with setting a 'fixed percentage' figure. The new capability targets will see a number of dramatic changes to European defence, including Germany increasing the size of its armed forces by 'around 50,000 to 60,000' more soldiers, according to defence minister Boris Pistorius. The Netherlands also expects to more than double its military from 70,000 to 200,000 personnel in the next five years. Without any reference to the 5 per cent spending goal, Defence Secretary John Healey said 'war-fighting readiness' was at the centre of future plans for Britain's armed forces.
Telegraph
39 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Tice: I'd laugh to the hills if Boris came back – the Tories are done
Richard Tice has said he would 'laugh to the hills' if the Tories brought Boris Johnson back, claiming the party is 'done'. The Conservatives' feeble poll ratings following their disastrous local election showing have prompted some party figures to call for the former prime minister to return to help counter the threat of Nigel Farage. But Mr Tice, Reform UK's deputy leader, told the Politics Inside Out podcast that Mr Johnson's failures in office caused such 'rage' in the Red Wall that he was unlikely to be an electoral asset. Recent polling makes dire reading for the Tories, with one survey last month seeing the party slip to fourth place behind the Liberal Democrats. It was reported last month that some MPs were urging Mr Johnson to stand again, with one saying: 'He is the only man who can take on Nigel Farage and win.' But a poll found that just 15 per cent of Reform voters believed Mr Johnson would be a better pick for Downing Street than Mr Farage – indicating that a return of the former prime minister would make little difference. Appearing on the podcast, hosted by former Labour MPs Gloria de Piero and Jonathan Ashworth, Mr Tice was asked how he would react if Mr Johnson was brought back. 'We would laugh,' he said. 'I'd laugh to the hills if they brought Boris back. They clearly don't understand that brand, particularly in the industrial heartlands who lent him their vote in December 19. 'They rage at his failures. They rage at what that Conservative regime did. So no, I'm not worried about any of them, frankly. 'The brand is done. It's toxic. It'll never be forgiven for the mismanagement of the economy and things like net zero. So I think they won't be forgiven.' Mr Tice went on to say that he would like Reform UK to replace the Conservative Party in the same way that Labour eclipsed the Liberals a century ago. 'Basically they're done,' he said. 'It's over. They're polling as a minor party… I think that there has been a sea change in recognition within elements of the Conservative Party. They're losing councillors all over the place.' Last week, one senior Tory told the Sun: 'Some of the old gang around Boris Johnson are back texting and in talks to get him to return. 'The feeling is he is the only man who can take on Nigel Farage and win. They want to bring back Boris.'
