Policy Download – December 2025

2025 Policy Unwrapped

2025 turned out to be a transformative year for music publishing, from funding announcements to heated debates about AI and copyright. Below is a look back at some of the key policy issues that the MPA worked on, which will help shape the industry in the year ahead.

If there was one issue which dominated the policy agenda in 2025, it was AI. Early in the year, ministers indicated the UK was considering changes to AI training rules, potentially allowing models to train on copyrighted works unless creators opted out. This move was met with fierce opposition from the MPA as well as others from the creative industries.

Our advocacy around AI and fair treatment for rightsholders grew stronger in 2025, with more political engagement on the issue and joint working across the whole of the creative industries to help ensure the protection of rightsholders.

This growing campaign prompted the Government to reconsider its earlier proposal and convene working groups on AI and copyright. The MPA joined the Secretary of State and civil servants on the first round of working group meetings and later the technical working group. Although the Government is yet to respond in full to its AI and Copyright policy consultation, it did publish the initial findings of its consultation, which found that 88% of respondents favoured the MPA’s position of requiring licensing for all AI training.

Another big announcement was the launch of the Government’s Creative Industries Sector Plan, which promised £380m of investment across creative R&D, skills, and regional growth. It is expected that this funding will support touring, tech innovation, and grassroots venues.

There were further positive policy developments this year, notably the Competition and Market Authority’s (CMA) designation of the Google and Apple App Stores as having Strategic Market Status. This new designation, which the MPA campaigned on, could introduce mechanisms to help tackle music piracy apps on app stores. Further consultations are expected in the new year, and the MPA will continue to engage with the CMA on this issue.

The work streams related to the Government’s ‘Economics of Music Streaming’ review continued to progress. The Transparency in Music Streaming Voluntary Code of Practice, which the MPA was a founding signatory of, celebrated its first anniversary.

The MPA is pleased to report that there have been no issues with non-compliance from our members in respect of this transparency code. A full evaluation report on the code is expected to be published next year.

Meanwhile, the Government’s Creator Remuneration Working Group, in which the MPA participated, concluded its final meeting. The group secured a range of new improvements for songwriters and composers, including the introduction of per diem payments at label-organised music creation sessions. These new measures were led on by the Ivors Academy.

The Government’s response to the curriculum review also offered renewed hope and opportunity to strengthen access to music education and reverse the long-term decline in provision. The MPA welcomed many of the Review’s recommendations, particularly its strong recognition of the importance of music. We will now await the implementation phase, especially whether sufficient funding and resources are allocated to turn these recommendations into reality.

Key policy developments we will continue to influence and be monitoring:

• Final decisions on AI training and copyright rules, with legislation expected to be introduced in the King’s Speech
• Delivery of the Government’s promised Sector Plan funding
• Publication of a Government White Paper setting out the BBC’s Charter from 2028, with a focus on the BBC’s long-term future
• Entry into force of the UK–India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), including provisions to strengthen copyright (60+ years) and wider IP protections for rightsholders operating in the Indian market
• The Government will publish  an evaluation report on the Transparency for Music Streaming Code of Practice.