Select Committee · Women and Equalities Committee

Misogyny in music

Status: Closed Opened: 9 Jun 2022 Closed: 28 May 2024 27 recommendations 6 conclusions 1 report

In recent years, news reports and some studies have brought to the forefront the extent to which misogyny exists in the music industry. This inquiry aims to examine what misogynistic attitudes exist in the industry and why. It aims to uncover, in more detail, how these attitudes can filter through to society, impacting attitudes towards …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
2nd Report - Misogyny in music HC 129 30 Jan 2024 33 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

7 items
4 Recommendation 2nd Report - Misogyny in music Rejected

Bring Section 14 of the Equality Act into force to protect against intersectional discrimination.

Section 14 of the Equality Act 2010 which provides protection from discrimination on the basis of a combination of two relevant protected characteristics presents a limited understanding of how overlapping characteristics are used to discriminate against individuals and prevent the most vulnerable from bringing harassment claims based on their actual …

Government response. The government rejects the recommendation to bring section 14 of the Equality Act into force, stating it is unnecessary as courts already allow multiple claims and robust protections exist.
Government Equalities Office
9 Recommendation 2nd Report - Misogyny in music Rejected

Bring forward legislation to allow self-employed parents to share non-consecutive parental leave and pay.

Reform of parental leave for freelancers is overdue. The current system places the burden of childcare onto the mother and offers no financial support for self-employed fathers or same-sex partners wanting to share childcare responsibilities. The Government should bring forward legislation to allow self-employed mothers and fathers to share parental …

Government response. The government rejects the recommendation to introduce legislation allowing self-employed parents to share parental leave and pay, stating there are no current plans to introduce such entitlements for self-employed fathers or partners. It clarifies existing support for employed parents and …
Government Equalities Office
11 Recommendation 2nd Report - Misogyny in music Rejected

Extend Equality Act protections to all freelancers and lengthen discrimination claim limitation periods.

The Government should bring forward legislative proposals to extend the protections relating to discrimination and harassment in the Equality Act 2010 to include all freelancers. Limitation periods for Equality Act-based discrimination and sexual harassment claims should be extended to six months. In the meantime, the Government should set out clearly—in …

Government response. The government rejects the recommendation to extend Equality Act protections to all freelancers, stating there are no current plans to change or extend the Act in this area. It clarifies which freelancers are currently covered and acknowledges it is 'looking …
Government Equalities Office
15 Recommendation 2nd Report - Misogyny in music Rejected

License all commercial recording studios, including sexual harassment risk assessments and clear reporting pathways.

A recording studio should be a safe space for all those who work there. Frequently this is not the case, and commercial self-interest is prioritised over personal safety. We recommend that all commercial recording studios should be licensed. That licensing process should include a sexual harassment risk assessment to ensure …

Government response. The government rejects the recommendation to introduce new licensing requirements for commercial recording studios, stating it has no plans to do so. It welcomes the industry-led Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority as an alternative to ensure safe workplaces.
Government Equalities Office
16 Recommendation 2nd Report - Misogyny in music Rejected

Government weakening of Worker Protection Act leaves vulnerable women exposed to sexual harassment.

The Government’s weakening of the Worker Protection Act 2023 has let down women already vulnerable to sexual abuse and harassment in insecure work settings. While we welcome the duty on employers to take ‘reasonable steps’ to protect their employees from sexual harassment, without third-party harassment liabilities, it will be harder …

Government response. The government rejects the call to reintroduce employer liability for third-party harassment, stating it has no current plans to do so. It highlights the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023, which introduces a duty on employers to …
Government Equalities Office
19 Recommendation 2nd Report - Misogyny in music Rejected

Condition public funding and licensing of music venues on tackling sexual harassment and abuse.

Public funding and licensing of music venues should be made conditional on those premises taking steps to tackle gender bias, sexual harassment and abuse. This should include the training of venue staff by accredited organisations that work in the sector. The Government should review international examples, such as the measures …

Government response. The government rejects making public funding and licensing conditional on music venues tackling sexual harassment, stating it is up to individual businesses to decide on staff training. They encourage venues to partner with specialist organizations and highlight existing guidance for …
Government Equalities Office
28 Conclusion 2nd Report - Misogyny in music Rejected

CIISA is not a panacea for all of the problems of discrimination, harassment and abuse...

CIISA is not a panacea for all of the problems of discrimination, harassment and abuse in the industry. It is not a statutory body. Reforms to the Equality Act 2010 remain essential in order for freelance workers to be adequately protected from discrimination. Ultimately, CIISA’s effectiveness will be judged on …

Government response. The government recognises freelancers but states there are no plans to change or extend the Equality Act 2010 for them at present, explaining that many freelancers are already covered. It is, however, looking into extending the time limit for bringing …
Government Equalities Office

Oral evidence sessions

9 sessions
Date Witnesses
24 Apr 2024 Andrew Medlock · CIISA, David Smy · Office for Students, Jen Smith · CIISA View ↗
13 Sep 2023 Annie Macmanus, Rebecca Ferguson View ↗
18 Jul 2023 Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale MP · Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Victoria MacCallum · Department for Culture, Media and Sport View ↗
28 Jun 2023 Isabel Garvey · Warner Music UK, Jessica Carsen · Sony Music UK, Natasha Mann · Universal Music UK View ↗
24 May 2023 John Shortell · Musician's Union, Lauren Down · End of Road Festival, Marta Pallares Olivares · Primavera Sound Festival View ↗
19 Apr 2023 Deborah Annetts · Independent Society of Musicians, Jamie Njoku-Goodwin · UK Music, Jen Smith · CIISA, YolanDa Brown OBE DL · British Phonographic Industry View ↗
8 Feb 2023 Melinda Kelly · Safe Gigs for Women, Nadia Khan · Women in CTRL, Vanessa Threadgold · Cactus City Studio, Vick Bain · F-List View ↗
26 Oct 2022 Charisse Beaumont · Black Lives in Music, Dr Cassandra Jones · University of Northumbria, Dr Nicola Puckey · University of Winchester, Dr Rosemary Hill · University of Huddersfield View ↗
14 Sep 2022 Charisse Beaumont · Black Lives in Music, Dr Cassandra Jones · University of Northumbria, Dr Nicola Puckey · University of Winchester, Dr Rosemary Hill · University of Huddersfield View ↗

Correspondence

2 letters
DateDirectionTitle
6 Mar 2024 Correspondence from Minister for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries on Miso…
7 Feb 2024 Correspondence to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, relating to …