Government 'beefs up' criteria for overseas music fund after ...

It is open to UK-based music companies who can apply for grants of £5,000–£50,000 to support international marketing, touring, and promotional campaigns, with the next deadline for submissions on 15 December. “Our first-class music industry is already the envy of the world, but we are pushing to make it even bigger, giving artists the tools to go global and export to all corners of the globe,” Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle. [...] Kneecap were shortlisted and approved for a £15,000 MEGS grant applied for in December 2023, which was subsequently withdrawn on the order of then Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, on the basis that the controversial group was “opposed to the United Kingdom”. [...] ### Amplifying British creativity Announcing the latest round of MEGS, the government revealed that the initiative, which has already invested £7.6m in 450 artists, including Dave, Young Fathers, and Ezra Collective, delivers nearly £14 for every £1 invested, leading to an estimated £73.5m return to the UK economy over the last eleven years.