Liverpool City Region musicians to go global with backing from new export programme

THE Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Tees Valley Combined Authority and the North East Combined Authority have agreed a proposal to create a Northern Music Export Office.

The initiative; announced at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas; is designed to accelerate the international growth of the North's  thriving music scene and provide national and international touring support, as well as export opportunities for professionals and showcases.

With conversations already underway to expand the support to artists and professionals across other parts of the North, this strategic collaboration will provide key support to local artists, music businesses, and talent, helping them reach global markets and establish a lasting international presence.

The Northern Music Export Office will offer:- both national and international touring grants, targeted resources, mentorship, and export-ready development programs to ensure that the North's  Music sector is well equipped for success on the world stage.

The initiative will focus on increasing the global visibility of the Region's music sector, driving exports, facilitating international opportunities, and supporting the growth of emerging music talent.

By fostering connections with key international music networks, the office aims to establish the North as a major player in the global music industry.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:- "From the Beatles to the Real Thing and many more, music has always been part of the fabric of the Liverpool City Region - it's  woven into our identity. We're renowned, not just in the UK, but globally, for the talent that we produce. From grassroots investment in the next generation of musical superstars through our Sound! Music Hub, to hosting Eurovision and some of the world's  biggest headliners in the UNESCO City of Music, Liverpool, we are cementing our Region's  cultural legacy and its future on the world stage. The new Northern Music Export Office is set to provide fantastic opportunities for artists in our Region and help put them in the spotlight where they belong."

The Northern Music Export Office will offer a range of services, including:- export training, global showcase opportunities, advice on international touring, and access to funding and grants.

With a focus on connecting local talent to both national and global audiences, the office will also facilitate international networking and partnerships with music industry professionals worldwide.

Mick Ross, CEO of Generator NE said:- "Music is an essential part of the North's  cultural identity, and we are thrilled to see this initiative developed. The Northern Music Export Office will provide invaluable support to our artists, helping them access international markets, grow their careers, and showcase their talent to the world, whilst recognising the need for national tour support for artists."

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said:- "We have incredible talent across our Region and we want to have the very best support to allow these fantastic artists to achieve their potential. The new Export Office will provide vital backing to bring Teesside artists to a global audience and further demonstrate how we are leading the way in providing innovative support across a wide range of industries."

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:- "I want to see a new generation of home grown-talent North East Talent find its place on the world stage. We have so many great young musicians here in our Region, and this new Export Office builds on our success in bringing the MOBO awards to Newcastle and attracting a major label recording studio to the Region, opening the door to real opportunities for them."

Generator North East and its partners are already working closely with global music export agencies and international industry partners to create valuable opportunities for Regional artists and businesses. Through this partnership, the Northern Music Export Office will position the North as a global hub for music innovation and creativity, with the hope to bring in other Combined Authorities in 2025.

Investing in care worker pay is a win for the economy and the NHSl

A new report was launched by Community Integrated Care, a national charity with services in Southport, on:- Wednesday, 12 March 2025, exposes a persistent pay gap between:- social care support workers and their NHS counterparts. The charity is calling on the Government to take immediate action by uplifting care worker wages, arguing that fair pay is not only affordable, but a crucial investment in economic growth and the long-term sustainability of the NHS.

'A Caring Economy; Unfair To Care 2025' is the 4th edition of Community Integrated Care's acclaimed Unfair To Care report series. It uniquely compares the pay of social care support workers to their NHS equivalents paid under Band 3 of the NHS Agenda for Change framework.

Using exclusive measurement by global leaders in job evaluation, Korn Ferry, the charity has determined that the role of a social care support worker is a skilled, accountable and complex one, revealing that the average care worker, currently earning £12.00 per hour, would take home £7,120 a year more doing a comparable sized role in the NHS.

The charity says that the consequences of this pay disparity are severe, including:- high turnover rates of 26.5%, equivalent to 285,000 leavers a year, combined with vacancy rates of:- 9.4% or 112,000 roles. These challenges create a cascade of far-reaching and negative impacts across society; reducing quality of life for people who access or work in care, undermining the viability of care providers and the efficiency of the NHS, and constraining economic growth.

Recent unfunded increases to employer National Insurance Contributions and the National Living Wage, totalling around £2.8 billion[v], have further exacerbated the problem, creating financial strain on care providers, with many having to make difficult choices to hand back contracts to local authorities, or in some cases, leave the care market entirely.

The release of this report comes at a critical moment as the Government reviews national social care policy, including:- proposals for a Fair Pay Agreement for care workers; acknowledging the urgent need for improved wages and the impact of low pay on the NHS. However, with the agreement not expected until 2027, at the earliest, Community Integrated Care warns that delaying action will only deepen the crisis; they claim that it will exacerbate workforce instability, continue to disrupt the lives of millions who depend on and deliver social care, and fatally undermine 1 of the Government's 3 big shifts: moving care from hospitals to the community.

The charity argues that immediate action is needed and that increasing social care pay is both achievable and essential. Their estimates show that a 50p per hour uplift for the 1.29 million frontline care workers in England, would cost just £723 million per year (net); a small proportion of the annual £32 billion in public spending on adult social care, and a fraction of the recent £25.7 billion NHS funding boost in the Autumn 2024 Budget. In return, fair pay would reduce costly staff turnover, improve retention, and enhance care quality; benefiting the entire health and social care system.

Previous reports have shown that providing parity of pay between social care workers and their NHS equivalents creates a:- 'Social Care Triple Care Win', improving economic growth, as lower paid workers reinvest additional wages in the local economy, increasing NHS capacity and efficiency, and transforming the lives of people who work in and draw on social care.

Teresa Exelby is the Chief Corporate Services and People Officer at Community Integrated Care, which employs over 6,500 colleagues and delivers 10 million hours of publicly-funded support to 2,500 adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health conditions and complex needs. She said:- "Once again, this year's figures highlight the persistent undervaluing of 1 of society's most vital workforces. Social care support workers are highly skilled, accountable, and emotionally resilient, delivering transformational care and support every day. While steps toward a fairer pay framework are welcome, we cannot wait for 2027 for that to happen. That's why we are urgently calling on the Government to fund an immediate interim pay uplift; not just because it's the right thing to do for those working in and accessing social care, but because of the benefits it brings for wider society and the economy too. Within our charity we've seen the transformational impact of raising pay and investing in carers; achieving an 80% retention rate, which is above the sector average. This stability enables us to reinvest, expand our impact, and support our teams to deliver high-quality care, but sustained progress requires proper funding. With the right investment, social care can thrive; offering sustainable, rewarding careers, empowering people to live their best lives, and driving economic growth and productivity."

Phil Hope, former Minister of State for Social Care and co-author of the report, said:- "A 'Caring Economy' is a two-way street; a strong economy funds the delivery of care and support, and the social care sector, in turn, drives economic growth and enhances NHS productivity. The sector is vast and expanding, contributing an estimated £62.1 billion to gross value added in England. Yet, despite its undeniable impact, improved care worker pay remains a contentious issue, often deemed unaffordable. This report not only challenges that perception but also highlights the substantial economic returns it can offer; reducing welfare spending, creating employment opportunities, and stimulating spending in low income communities. In reality, the cost of increasing care worker pay could be far lower than assumed. Better wages lead to a more stable workforce, lower recruitment costs, and greater investment in training and innovation. It's time to recognise social care spending as an investment in our economy and society; not just an expense."

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