With the media often focusing on musicans who earn millions of pounds every year, it is sometimes easy to forget that there are many very talented musicans out there that make a great contribution to the music in the UK but don’t earn these kinds of sums.

That’s why I’m pleased to report that Labour has helped to pass a vote through the parliament that  calls for national governments to extend the period during which performers can claim royalties for their recordings from 50 to 70 years. Many performers rely on modest royalties in their retirement. In a profession which can be insecure we need to do all we can to ease the burden and help those who dedicate themselves to producing the music that we all like to listen to.