Musicians to benefit from jobs scheme

Andrew Smith MP singled out Ms Dynamite for praise

A scheme offering musicians unemployment support and training is to be made permanent following a successful trial.

Under New Deal for Musicians (NDfM), the government will help musicians find work in their field, recognising the contribution they make to British society.

More than 2,500 musicians found work during the three-year trial which is linked to the New Deal jobs programme.

It will cost £4.5m a year to fund the project, said Work and Pensions Secretary Andrew Smith.

The programme has helped bring together my ideas of how to develop my career

Ruth Mbachu, musician

"From the Beatles to Ms Dynamite, the music industry is the UK's third highest exporter, bringing in millions of pounds every year," said Mr Smith.

"It is vital to our economy and provides many jobs.

"New Deal for Musicians provides the support needed to help young, unemployed musicians to access the specialist training and advice they need to make the first step into a very competitive industry."

Eligible

The New Deal for the young jobless, which was launched in 1998, obliges all 18-24 year olds who have been unemployed for more than six months to take a placement with an employer or voluntary project, or undergo training, in return for receiving financial support.

The NDfM scheme is open to instrumentalists, vocalists, composers, songwriters or DJs who are eligible for New Deal programmes, which usually last for six months.

Ruth Mbachu, a singer and writer with R'n'B and hip hop group Emerge, has joined the programme.

She said: "New Deal has helped me to use my time to research more effectively.

"I am now in contact with a manager and producer who will help develop my music.

"The programme has helped bring together my ideas of how to develop my career I have already begun to focus on extra session work outside my own music."