Thread by @WeAreTheMU

Hi! This is Horace, General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union. I really hope you’re all keeping well. I’m here to answer your questions for the next 30 minutes #AskTheMU

https://twitter.com/WeAreTheMU/status/1242819696841371648

Hi James, thanks for your question. There is no reason for schools to let a lack of knowledge put them off online teaching when moving lessons online will be such a valuable lifeline for music teachers (1/3) #AskTheMU

https://twitter.com/jamestopp/status/1242735829988061185?s=20

There are safeguarding implications for all teaching but it's entirely possible to adapt face to face safeguarding practices to online teaching as well. Our Education Department has put together detailed advice > musiciansunion.org.uk/Home/Advice/co… (2/3) #AskTheMU

MU members can contact Regional Offices for advice and assistance on developing policies as well. We are getting a lot of enquiries so it may take a bit longer than usual, but we will try and help everyone in 24 hours during work days > themu.org/contact (3/3) #AskTheMU

“I’m a musician who is clearly affected by this shutdown but I have some savings so I’m not in any urgent need for money right now... I saw about your hardship fund, and I want to contribute. Is there a place I can donate to in order to top up the fund?” Anon via DM #AskTheMU

The £1m we put into the hardship fund isn’t going to last for long. So we desperately need to raise more money for the fund and that’s why we’ve launched a Crowdfunder where you can donate > crowdfunder.co.uk/mucoronavirush… #AskTheMU

I put £1000 of my own money in and I urge all of you who can to donate something to the fund and tell your friends, musicians and music lovers, that if we run out of money in the hardship fund, we simply won’t be able to help our members any further crowdfunder.co.uk/mucoronavirush…

“Can I expect to earn anything from a stream online?” - our next question is from Robin via DM #AskTheMU

The simplest answer is that the streaming platforms have to pay for the content that they make available. If you own the recording, then you will get the money. But if you’re signed to a record label, you’ll probably have to wait a while - HT #AskTheMU

If you’re an MU member, your Regional Office should be able to help theMU.org/contact - HT

Our next question is from Richard via Facebook, about support for musicians working in theatre: “Where does that leave us in terms of applying for Universal Credit, or any further help that we are hoping the Government will announce soon?” facebook.com/12234918446253… #AskTheMU

If you are receiving no income, then you should most definitely apply for Universal Credit and any other funds that the Government are yet to announce regardless of the suspension of your tour musiciansunion.org.uk/Home/Advice/co… - HT #AskTheMU

The Union has been working very closely with friends on all sides of the House of Commons and @the_TUC to reinforce the principle that self-employed people should be no worse off than salaried employees regardless of whether they have savings #AskTheMU

https://twitter.com/Violino1567/status/1242799645287428097?s=20

Government is set to announce help imminently and we will respond once we know whether the package is fair and sufficient for our members to sustain their careers. You can see our asks and write to your MP here > musiciansunion.org.uk/Home/News/2020… - HT #AskTheMU

Yes. We've put a million pounds in a special MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund for members who have particularly pressing financial needs to apply to. See themu.org/hardshipfund - HT #AskTheMU

https://twitter.com/JuJo_PD/status/1242829259472801800?s=20

Our fund is designed to provide quick and easy, basic, financial help. For more help go to @HelpMusiciansUK and @PRSforMusic who also have coronavirus funds - HT #AskTheMU

We are crowdfunding for more support so that we can hopefully extend eligibility for the scheme. We're asking people who can afford to, to donate to our Crowdfunder - HT #AskTheMU crowdfunder.co.uk/mucoronavirush…

Mike on Instagram asks "What is the MU’s position on UBI and SSP when this crisis passes? Will the MU start campaigning for improvements or are these policy lines only applicable during this crisis?" #AskTheMU
instagram.com/p/B-HFlgfnmri/…

The crisis has highlighted the need for some form of Universal Basic Income and Statutory Sick Pay for self employed people. So yes! We are and will be continuing to argue for these now and beyond the crisis - HT #AskTheMU
musiciansunion.org.uk/Home/News/2020…

Obviously we’ve had to cancel our events and partners have cancelled theirs. We will be looking at providing training online in the next few weeks, when we hope the situation will calm down and we can get everyone the urgent advice they need - HT #AskTheMU

https://twitter.com/jamestopp/status/1242754779010531329?s=20

We’re part of @feutraining who have a long list of business skills courses that you can do online and for free if you’re an MU member feutraining.org/online-trainin… - HT #AskTheMU

.@ukbapam have made their next workshops webinars as well. Those are for all musicians as well as MU members and look at important topics like keeping mentally well - HT #AskTheMU
musiciansunion.org.uk/Home/News/2020…

We're out of time for today's #AskTheMU. I just want to say that I am really proud of all our staff and members who have responded so quickly and caringly to this crisis. We moved quicker than any other music organisation to advise and assist musicians through this crisis - HT

It's been heartening to see our members respond so positively and coming together to support each other during this difficult time. I am immensely proud to lead this fantastic Union at this most challenging time. Above all, stay safe and take care of one another - HT #AskTheMU

Thanks again for all your questions! We'll be back with another #AskTheMU soon. Until then, catch up with today's session and all our advice for musicians, at theMU.org/community #CoronavirusLockdownUK