Ashcroft addressed the MPA AGM last week in London via MCPS chair Nigel Elderton, who read out a prepared speech. Ashcroft was unable to attend the event.

The PRS exec noted that £1m in IT-related cost-saving measures were on the cards for 2012 - and noted that German society GEMA will shortly announce an intention to buy into copyright database ICE.

However, he also admitted the finances of MCPS - which posted a 13.2% decline in recorded music media licensing ...