New research commissioned by the Musicians’ Union suggests that 60% of musicians have worked for free over the past year, and more than half of professional musicians get paid less than £20,000 per year.

The MU calls the statistics “ominous for the future of music in the UK” against the backdrop of the autumn statement with its omission of music for the Government’s £6m creative industry boost.

“So many of the MU’s members are SMEs battling against a tide of ...