Misogyny in music: follow up

Women and Equalities Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 14 Jan 2025 Closed: 5 Mar 2026 Parliament page
The Committee’s inquiry into misogyny in music looked at: What types of support exists for women experiencing sexism or misogyny in the music industry? How can they report problems or abuse? How safe do women and girls feel at live music concerts and festivals? What expectations there are on women … Read more
9 Recommendations
2 Conclusions
1 Report
2 Oral sessions
8 Letters
2 Events
Activity timeline 14 events
13 Feb
2026
Correspondence
13 Feb
2026
Correspondence
4 Feb
2026
Oral evidence
4 Feb
2026
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
10 Sep
2025
Report published
9 Jul
2025
Correspondence
4 Jun
2025
Report published
4 Jun
2025
Correspondence
12 Feb
2025
Correspondence
29 Jan
2025
Correspondence
28 Jan
2025
Oral evidence
28 Jan
2025
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
4 Feb 2026
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Women and Equalities Committee
Jen Smith · Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority Zelda Perkins · Can't Buy My Silence
28 Jan 2025
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Women and Equalities Committee
Celeste Waite Deborah Annetts · Independent Society of Musicians (ISM) Dr Charisse Beaumont · Black Lives in Music Jen Smith · Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority Laura Snapes · The Guardian Lucy Cox Naomi Pohl · Musicians’ Union
Title HC No. Published Items Response
5th Report - Misogyny in music: on repeat HC 573 4 Jun 2025 11 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
11 results
1 Recommendation Acknowledged
5th Report - Misogyny in music: on…
Overwhelming case for government to implement measures for women in music industry.
One year on from its publication, and having heard from key witnesses, we find that there remains an overwhelming case for the Government to implement the measures set out in our predecessors’ report to capitalise on the pockets of momentum … Read more
Government Response
The government expresses gratitude for the report, reiterates its commitment to addressing misogyny in the music industry, and states it is carefully considering the recommendations and views the Employment Rights Bill as a progressive step.
Government Equalities Office
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2 Recommendation Deferred
5th Report - Misogyny in music: on…
Amend Equality Act 2010 to protect freelancers from third-party discrimination and harassment.
The Government should amend the Equality Act 2010 so that the protections relating to the prevention of third-party discrimination and harassment clearly include freelancers and those who are standing in (‘depping’) for another musician. (Recommendation, Paragraph 16) Read more
Government Response
The government references existing legislation and upcoming bills but clarifies that freelance protection depends on specific circumstances. It has launched a Call for Evidence on Equality Law to consider the scope of protections, deferring specific action on amending the Act for freelancers.
Government Equalities Office
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3 Recommendation Deferred
5th Report - Misogyny in music: on…
Amend Employment Rights Bill to extend sexual harassment prevention duty to freelancers.
The Government should amend the proposed duty on employers to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment (clause 19 of the Employment Rights Bill) to ensure freelancers are within its scope. (Recommendation, Paragraph 17)
Government Response
The government references current and upcoming legislation but notes that freelancers' protection depends on specific circumstances. It has launched a Call for Evidence on Equality Law to consider the scope of protections against sexual harassment, effectively deferring the specific amendment to include freelancers.
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4 Recommendation Rejected
5th Report - Misogyny in music: on…
Amend Employment Rights Bill to extend third-party harassment protection rights to freelancers.
The Government should amend the proposed new rights to protection from third-party harassment (clause 20 of the Employment Rights Bill) to ensure that they extend to freelancers. (Recommendation, Paragraph 18)
Government Response
The government outlines current and upcoming legislation protecting employees from third-party harassment, but states freelancer protection depends on individual circumstances and tribunal decisions. They will consider evidence from a recent Call for Evidence for future steps, but do not commit to amending the Employment Rights Bill to specifically include freelancers now.
Government Equalities Office
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5 Recommendation Deferred
5th Report - Misogyny in music: on…
Bring Section 14 of the Equality Act 2010 into force by next parliamentary session.
The Government should fulfil its commitment to bring section 14 of the Equality Act 2010 into force and do so by the end of the next parliamentary session at the latest. (Recommendation, Paragraph 24)
Government Response
The government has launched a Call for Evidence on strengthening protections against dual discrimination and is currently considering responses before outlining next steps to implement its commitment, deferring specific action.
Government Equalities Office
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6 Recommendation Accepted
5th Report - Misogyny in music: on…
Prohibit non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements in cases of sexual misconduct, harassment, and discrimination.
The Government should urgently bring forward legislative proposals to prohibit the use of non-disclosure and other forms of confidentiality agreements in cases involving (a) sexual abuse, sexual harassment or sexual misconduct; (b) bullying or harassment not falling within (a), and … Read more
Government Response
The government has tabled and passed an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill to address NDA misuse and will consult on secondary legislation to define valid NDAs in harassment/discrimination cases, allowing workers to speak about their experiences.
Government Equalities Office
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7 Conclusion Acknowledged
5th Report - Misogyny in music: on…
Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority requires legal provisions and sustainable funding to operate effectively.
We support the creation of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA). Crucially, it will be a single, recognisable body that anyone in the industry can turn to for support and advice. It is well placed to help effect cultural … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees on the importance of strong, cross-industry support and funding for CIISA, with the Culture Secretary expressing clear support and engaging with CIISA. It expects the sector to provide this funding, warning of potential government intervention if it is not forthcoming.
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8 Conclusion Acknowledged
5th Report - Misogyny in music: on…
Industry must provide financial and ideological support for CIISA to operate effectively.
We agree with the Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s conclusion that, for it to operate effectively, the industry must see supporting CIISA financially and ideologically to be a fundamental part of operating in the UK. (Conclusion, Paragraph 50)
Government Response
The government agrees that industry support and funding for CIISA is crucial and expects the sector to provide it, with the Secretary of State reserving the right to intervene if this is not forthcoming.
Government Equalities Office
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9 Recommendation Acknowledged
5th Report - Misogyny in music: on…
Urge Government to accept CIISA funding recommendation and explore options including an industry levy.
We urge the Government to accept the recommendation from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee that: “All parts of the creative industries under CIISA’s remit should commit to unconditional, long-term funding within six months. In the meantime, the Government should … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees that strong cross-industry support and funding for CIISA are important, and the Culture Secretary is working to ensure this. It expects the sector to provide long-term funding and warns of potential government intervention if industry support is not forthcoming, but does not commit to exploring options for government funding or imposing a levy.
Government Equalities Office
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10 Recommendation Accepted in Part
5th Report - Misogyny in music: on…
Provide Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority with legal assurances for its crucial work.
CIISA has been several years in development. It is therefore surprising that discussions with Government over the necessary legal framework for it to operate effectively are still ongoing. The Government needs to demonstrate its full support for CIISA and get … Read more
Government Response
The government states CIISA, as an industry-led body, has an appropriate legal framework, but is actively working with CIISA to enhance its legal underpinning. DCMS and DBT officials are exploring adding CIISA to the Public Interest Disclosure (Prescribed Persons) Order 2014 to provide whistleblowing protection.
Government Equalities Office
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11 Recommendation Deferred
5th Report - Misogyny in music: on…
Amend Employment Rights Bill to align Maternity Allowance with Statutory Maternity Pay.
The Employment Rights Bill should be amended to bring Maternity Allowance into line with Statutory Maternity Pay. This would remove the inherent unfairness that means that, during maternity leave, women in employment can undertake unlimited self-employed work but restricts the … Read more
Government Response
The government has launched a Parental Leave and Pay Review, which will consider the entire parental leave system, including Maternity Allowance and KIT days, deferring a decision on amending the Employment Rights Bill.
Government Equalities Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 11 of 9 classified
Accepted 1
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 4
Deferred 4
Rejected 1
Total 9 recs + 2 conclusions
Correspondence 8 letters
13 Feb 2026 Correspondence to Secretary of State for Business and Trade, re Non-disclosure agreements, dated 11.02.2026
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13 Feb 2026 Correspondence to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport re, Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, dated 11.02.2026
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9 Jul 2025 Correspondence from Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Minister for Employment Rights Competition and Markets re, Employment Rights Bill, dated 08.07.2025
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4 Jun 2025 Correspondence to Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets) re, Misogyny in music, dated 04.06.2025
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12 Feb 2025 Correspondence from F-List for Music, The Centre for Music Education and Social Justice, The 1752 Group, The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, dated 30 Jan 2025
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29 Jan 2025 Correspondence from Senior Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs, Sony Music, re, Misogyny in music: follow up, dated 21 January 2025
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28 Jan 2025 Correspondence from Chief Operating Officer, Warner Music UK, re, Misogyny in music: follow up, dated 21 January 2025
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28 Jan 2025 Correspondence from Chief People, Inclusion and Cultural Officer, Universal Music UK, re, Misogyny in music: follow up, dated 20 January 2025
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