This is a pivotal moment for the new Government to work together with the UK creative industries to make meaningful change for the wider economic and social good of people across the country.

The work of UK orchestras is a key part of this, bringing joy and connection to millions in concert halls at home and abroad, and making a real impact on people’s lives in education and local community settings across the UK, from schools to care homes.

With a recent Opinium survey showing that 74% of people believe that orchestras are a vital part of the country’s cultural heritage, and seven in ten of UK adults believing that music is an important part of their wellbeing, it is vital that the new Government and Parliament take positive, proactive steps to support the UK orchestral sector.

We encourage Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer and his Government to take a joined-up, cross Departmental approach with a commitment to:

• Ensure access to high-quality music education and creative subjects for all children and young people, investing in music education and enabling the development of skills and a future, homegrown and diverse talent pipeline.

• Support UK orchestras as purveyors of the UK’s cultural soft power by removing international touring barriers and fostering international cultural exchange by making it easier to bring in foreign talent into the UK.

• Harness the role of music and UK orchestras in local communities and in health and social care.

• Sustain and increase investment in the classical music sector.

British orchestras are some of the UK’s most globally admired and influential cultural organisations. They are a vital part of a UK music industry which contribute £6.7billion to the UK economy, play to nearly 5 million people in over 4,000 concerts and performances across the UK per year and use their international renown to take the best of British culture across the globe. A significant employer, with a highly skilled workforce, UK orchestras are a pillar of the UK’s creative industries, a strategic growth sector which grew at twice the rate of the UK economy in the last decade.

We urge Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer’s Government to invest in and support this thriving, diverse and innovative sector.

The ABO looks forward to working positively and constructively with this new Government.