The Ivors Academy secures expense payments for songwriters from major UK labels

In a step to help sustain and support songwriters, major UK record labels have committed to introduce a per diem and cover expenses for songwriters attending their writing sessions.

This is the first time this type of payment has been formally agreed with major labels anywhere in the world. Crucially, this per diem from major labels will be non-recoupable from featured artists.

Whilst the actual mechanics of streaming and remuneration for songwriters have not changed, The Ivors Academy has secured this commitment through its participation in the UK government’s Creator Remuneration Working Group. This was alongside other organisations representing musicians, performers, producers and managers as part of the Council of Music Makers.

At The Ivors Academy’s AGM last week, Chief Executive Roberto Neri called on Collective Management Organisations and music publishers to strengthen negotiations with the streaming platforms on behalf of songwriters to secure higher value for the song.

Until now, songwriters have often been expected to work for free during sessions, with no guarantee of future income unless a track is commercially released. This practice, according to the UK Parliament’s Economics of Music Streaming report, places an unfair burden on creators and presents major barriers to entry, particularly for those from lower-income backgrounds.

Tom Gray, chair of The Ivors Academy, said: “Songwriters finally receiving per diems is hugely personally rewarding for me after developing the idea and pushing it forward as a policy for many years. No one should provide their craft and labour for free, especially when there’s simply no guarantee of liveable income from streaming royalties. This is an important and long-overdue step that protects the dignity of working songwriters.”

Roberto Neri, chief executive officer of The Ivors Academy, added: "We welcome and wish to thank Minister Bryant for the introduction of per diems for songwriters and his support in securing this agreement. There is no music industry without songwriters and these payments will ensure that songwriters are not out of pocket when turning up to work. We look forward to working together over the next 12 months to assess how this package benefits music makers and ensuring that all creators share in the success of streaming remuneration.

“While securing per diems is a major win and a world first, there is still much to do. These standards need to be adopted globally. We need to see the streaming economy actually value the song, so its creators receive an appropriate share of revenues.”

Songwriters will be able to claim per diems from the UK’s major record labels. The Ivors Academy is working with representatives from major record labels to develop a simple and easy-to-use form that will be hosted within The Ivors Academy website.

Songwriters and composers can join The Ivors Academy for free as a Discovery member and contact perdiems@ivorsacademy.com to stay informed and updated.