Rita Ora, Sam Smith and Coldplay back campaign to protect BBC music

Industry-backed group UK Music to lobby MPs with #LetItBeeb campaign calling for corporation’s music services to be shielded from cuts

Some of the biggest names in the UK music industry including Sir Paul McCartney, Coldplay, Sam Smith and Rita Ora are backing a campaign calling for the BBC’s music services to be protected from cuts.

Industry-backed group UK Music will next week officially launch a campaign in parliament under the slogan #LetItBeeb.

The campaign is being backed by figures across the music industry, including major companies such as Sony and Universal Music.

“There is a direct threat to the BBC during this charter renewal process,” said UK Music chief executive Jo Dipple. “Next year the government will publish its white paper reforms on to the BBC which will define its future direction and funding. Music services must be maintained. Any cuts would negatively impact on the UK’s much celebrated soft power and would harm our position as a world leader in music export.”

Those involved include Brian Eno, Bob Geldof, Paloma Faith, James Bond composer David Arnold and Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis.

“The British music scene is a huge export earner and I think everybody in the business would agree that the BBC is a fundamental part of that success,” said Eno. “But there is another, possibly more important reason, for retaining the broad-based service that no commercial operator would be able to offer. The inclusivity that the BBC represents engenders tolerance, assimilation, integration and a sense of shared community. In a multicultural society that is worth a lot.”

New Order, the band behind hits including Blue Monday, said: “Over the years, some of our most memorable and favourite performances have been for the BBC. From the set of Baywatch for Top of the Pops in 1993 to our most recent for the 6 Music Festival at Maida Vale this year. A world without the BBC – well it just doesn’t bear thinking about, does it?”

The campaign is being officially launched in the House of Commons on Monday, hosted by the All Party Parliamentary group on Music, with attendees expected to include BBC director general Tony Hall and director of music Bob Shennan.

Bob Geldof gave a blunt assessment of the Conservative government’s moves to curb the financial clout and scope of the BBC.

“Fuck off and leave the BBC and British music alone,” he said. “You know nothing about either. Leave it to the people that do.”