Wishart secures debate on support for smaller musical genres

Published date : 25 January, 2023

News Release from Pete Wishart MP

Attn: News Desk For immediate release 25 January 2023

Pete Wishart, MP for Perth and North Perthshire, has secured a parliamentary debate on the support offered to smaller music genres. It comes after BBC Scotland has come under fire over plans to cut long-running jazz, classical and traditional music programmes from its schedule.

A number of musicians have since signed an open letter to the BBC and 3 petitions are circulating demanding that Classics Unwrapped, Jazz Nights and Pipeline are reinstated to the schedule. Mr Wishart will also use the opportunity to look at how the cost of living crisis and Brexit has worsened musician poverty and restricted opportunities for musicians from all genres to make a living

The debate will take place on Tuesday 31^st January at 4pm.

Commenting, Mr Wishart said:

“Following the BBC’s dreadful decision to axe specialist programmes from its schedule, I have secured a debate on the support offered to smaller music genres.

“This type of programming sustains the smaller musical genres and gives an opportunity for musicians in the these sectors to develop and reach new audiences.

“Scottish Jazz and other genres are currently enjoying great success just now with pianist Fergus McCreadie receiving the Mercury Prize nomination as well as winning a Jazz FM Award. Other Scottish jazz musicians such as Georgia Cecile are also continuing to attract attention whilst the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra go from strength to strength.

“This is a time to be investing in and supporting the sector and I will be reminding the BBC that it has an obligation to serve all its audiences.

“Musicians in Scotland and throughout the UK have rarely had it so bad and after 4 years of perpetual challenges brought by Covid and Brexit barriers. We should be doing everything we can to support our whole musician community.

“I look forward to making the case for our musicians to parliament and hopefully garnering support to ensure they get the support they deserve and so desperately need.”

ENDS

Notes:

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