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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Ed Gillett

‘Do we want music to be a pursuit only of the wealthy?’ Anger grows at PRS Foundation cuts

The Comet is Coming, who have spoken out against the PRS Foundation cuts.
The Comet is Coming, who have spoken out against the PRS Foundation cuts. Photograph: Fabrice Bourgelle

One of the UK’s biggest funders of new and emerging music, responsible for fostering the careers of artists including Sam Fender, Little Simz and 2021 Mercury prize winner Arlo Parks, has this week seen its budget slashed by 60%.

The PRS Foundation, which funds hundreds of aspiring artists and music organisations across the country – including a number of artists from groups underrepresented in the music industry – announced on Wednesday that its income would be cut from £2.75m to £1m from 2024 onwards, citing financial necessity. The decision was taken by its parent company and primary funder PRS for Music, which collects royalties for musicians when their music is streamed or played in public.

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