One of the UK’s leading music industry bodies has warned of the potential effects of a bad Brexit deal.

The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) says that a “strong” agreement with the EU is needed to ensure that the financial impact of music imports and exports is not negatively impacted by Britain’s EU exit.

The stark warning came as the BPI revealed record exports for 2017 – an eighteen year high of £408m.

The BPI confirmed that Ed Sheeran‘s album Divide topping the international best-selling list, while Rag’n’Bone Man secured fourth spot with debut ‘Human’.


The list also revealed top ten positions for the likes of Harry Styles and Sam Smith. When broken down, the figures show that one in eight albums purchased across the globe in 2017 was by a UK artist.

Stressing the importance of a strong Brexit deal, Brexit chief executive Geoff Taylor said: “Our music not only enriches the lives of fans around the world, it makes a major contribution to the UK economy through overseas sales and by attracting numerous visitors to the UK. “With Brexit approaching, music can help to showcase what is exciting about the UK as we forge new trading relationships, but only if our government supports us by ensuring a strong Brexit deal that enables artists to tour freely, robustly protects music rights, and prevents physical music products being impeded in transit.”