Hi there. This is Naomi Pohl. I’m Deputy General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union. I’m here for the next 30 minutes to answer your questions about any aspect of your work, or what we’re doing for musicians during the coronavirus outbreak. If you have any, let us know #AskTheMU 
I’ll be choosing questions at random from across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and our web feedback tool. It’s a good way of leaving us immediate feedback on our online advice and what you need.
Remember, if you’re an MU member you can call or email your MU Regional Office anytime via themu.org/contact and you can look at all our coronavirus related advice at themu.org/coronavirus.
“I'm taking the opportunity to retrain as a concert pianist from the safety of my flat. But my proper job is saxophone street busking. When do you think we can get back to keeping streets live?” - Richard via Facebook
facebook.com/12234918446253…
facebook.com/12234918446253…
Hi Richard, our prediction is that busking could be the first activity to return. It seems likely that outdoor spaces will give members the first chance for public performance, as long as mass gatherings aren’t encouraged. We will update members when government advice changes.
At that point, we had been lobbying hard to get support for the self-employed. It was clear Government had listened, the Chancellor even name-checked musicians first. We know people fall through gaps in the scheme; now we are lobbying to address those gaps
We will be launching a survey shortly to get data on how many musicians are affected. Please take the survey when it comes out. We hope for more wins in the next few weeks and are encouraging members to take action to help us get there. - NP #AskTheMU
Hi Ben, you can still do self-employed work while furloughed. Anything that doesn’t constitute work for the employer who has furloughed you is OK. Therefore, it sounds like releasing your own music would be perfectly legit - NP #AskTheMU
“If I have agreed to teach at a Summer School and it is cancelled, will I be paid?” - anon via our online feedback tool #AskTheMU
It will depend on your contract. Is it something you have done before or is it a one off engagement where the contract could be argued to be frustrated? We would happily look into this for you so please contact your MU Regional Office via theMU.org/contact - NP #AskTheMU
“Other than asking us to write to our MPs, what are the MU plans for gaining assistance for members whose musical income is not 50% or greater of their overall income but have still lost substantial work from the shutdown?” Alun via Facebook facebook.com/12234918446253…
Hi Alun, we are lobbying heavily on this and are in regular contact with MPs and Government. We will be putting out a new survey to members shortly to get data we can use to argue the point. Please take the survey when it arrives and send it to musicians you know - NP #AskTheMU
Hi Matthew. There is some advice from Government at this link gov.uk/guidance/gover… but it only covers England. We will look into this issue and get some advice up as soon as possible.
Hi there. We're trying to channel help where it is needed most. We know that means some members will miss out, which is why we are constantly reviewing the parameters. Would you be able to email details of your circumstances to your Regional Office? - NP
There are so many questions that I'm going to stay a little longer! Thanks for your patience. If we don't get to yours please contact your MU Regional Office for help, and you can find their contact information at themu.org/contact - NP #AskTheMU
“I would like advice on how we stand during this crisis working on a cruise ship, and reassurance that you are working with the government to ensure our safety and well being” - anon via our online feedback tool #AskTheMU
Hi there. Thank you for raising this, I will raise it with our Live Performance Department as a matter of urgency. If you are a musician working on a cruise ship, please contact us with details of your situation and what company you work for as soon as possible - NP #AskTheMU
“Could you please consider immediately suspending subs payments?” - Danny via Facebook #AskTheMU
facebook.com/12234918446253…
facebook.com/12234918446253…
Hi Danny, at present we are prioritising getting money out to members in the form of hardship grants and advance royalty payments. We have dedicated staff working flat out to get money to members as quickly as possible (1/2)
(2/2) We are still looking at how we can help with subs for members who really can’t afford to pay at the moment. If you are struggling, please do contact your MU Regional Office. Their details can be found at themu.org/contact - NP #AskTheMU
We are campaigning primarily to close the gaps in the self-employed scheme. However, we are keeping the idea of UBI alive in our discussions with MPs. It's been discussed at EC level and they will be discussing it more as the situation evolves - NP
Hi Ben. You need to have submitted your income tax self assessment tax return for the tax year 2018-19. You still have until 23 April to do so. We've got some useful information on the SEISS on our website musiciansunion.org.uk/Home/Advice/co… - NP #AskTheMU
Hi Liv. Our understanding is that as long as you have filed a tax return, you are eligible for SEISS. I would be happy triple check about tax thresholds for you. We are also talking to Gov about support for women on maternity, parents & carers - NP
Hi Delyth, it depends on the terms of the contract. The contract may have been frustrated if the wedding was cancelled due to Government advice. Happy to look into it for you so please contact your MU Regional Office themu.org/contact - NP #AskTheMU
“How can the student/parent get the best sound out of an electronic drum kit for use in an online lesson using Zoom?” - anon via website feedback tool #AskTheMU
MU member Rick is a drummer and teacher and has written a great blog which may help. He's written a follow up too that will be out soon and that has more detail in it that should help - NP #AskTheMU musiciansunion.org.uk/Home/News/2020…
Thanks so much for all of your questions! Hope it's been helpful. We'll definitely do this again. Until then if you have questions, please do contact your MU Regional Office themu.org/contact and we will do our best to help - NP #AskTheMU
