Pushing to promote diversity in music when only 6% of the workforce identifies as gay

The Government is being urged to act “swiftly and fearlessly” to “break down remaining barriers” and drive inclusion in the music industry after discovering just 6% of workers are gay.

UK Music's 2024 Workforce Diversity Survey found that heterosexual employees made up more than three-quarters of the music industry workforce, with just under 5% of staff identifying as bisexual and 3% identifying as queer.

Transgender employees represent less than 2% of workers in the sector.

The survey also reveals that there are fewer women in management positions than in mid- and entry-level jobs, while less than 40% of employees in the sector aged 55 to 64 are women.

But the report notes that “positive progress” has seen the representation of women in senior positions increase from 40.4% in 2020 to the current level of 48.3% in 2024.

The report also states that the representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic people has increased significantly, particularly in the 16-24 age group, which increased from 21% in 2021 to 40.6% in 2024.

This increase is the result of a number of initiatives taken across the music industry to improve access for young people from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Responding to the survey results, chair of the UK Music Diversity Taskforce, Ammo Talwar MBE, said there was still work to be done.

He said: “We have seen steady progress in increasing diversity in the music industry since we launched this survey in 2016, with further significant improvements year on year.

“This is down to some of the sector’s brilliant initiatives driving change and the organizations that have led the way with integrity and transparency.

“However, there is still much to do – and we need the next government to show speed and courage when it comes to working with us to remove the remaining barriers.

“The socio-economic data is particularly worrying, with figures relating to those working in the music industry whose parents come from a professional background above the national average. We need to do more to ensure we recruit talent from all backgrounds.