Music industry leaders have written to the final two candidates in the Tory leadership race, calling for their support if they get the keys to Number 10.

UK Music has made a list of six pledges it wants Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss to sign up to, including cutting red tape for musicians and crew touring in the EU and promising to protect the future of music education.

Chief executive of the industry body Jamie Njoku-Goodwin said “music matters to millions of people across our country”, including those picking the next prime minister.

“Many of them will be voting in this leadership election, and would welcome clarity from you and your campaign on how you will support our industry and make the UK the best place in the world to create, produce, perform and enjoy music,” he said.

Tory leadership hopeful suffers double blow – Politics live

The letters were sent ahead of Sky News’ Battle for Number 10 programme, taking place at 8pm tonight.

And they come amid growing concerns from the industry about the future of British music, especially in light of post-Brexit rules for bands travelling into and out of the UK.

Shawn Mendes cancels rest of ‘Wonder’ world tour dates after speaking to health professionals

‘Every barrier in the world went up overnight’: Some bands are skipping the UK because of Brexit

Glastonbury Festival: The ultimate A-Z guide – from headliners Paul McCartney and Billie Eilish to secret sets, strange venues and surviving the toilets

The other pledges UK Music wants the candidates to sign up to are:

• retaining a “global gold standard” for copyright protection
• supporting UK music globally by boosting the funding for export schemes
• creating a fiscal incentive to encourage new music production

Read more: ‘Every barrier in the world went up overnight’ – some bands skipping UK because of Brexit

Mr Njoku-Goodwin said: “The UK music industry is a key national asset that generates huge social, economic and reputational benefits for the UK and is a source of pride and joy for millions across our country.

“We must protect it and make the most of our international success and world-leading status.”

Sky News has contacted both candidates’ teams for a response to the letter.

Related posts:

Over-45s now able to book COVID jabs after latest target met Greensill lobbying row deepens as it emerges top civil servant worked for firm while at Cabinet Office PM’s warnings of lockdown in jeopardy sent shivers down spines ‘Perfectly reasonable’ to help Tory ex-minister win multi-million pound PPE contract, says Hancock Concerns raised over extension of vaccine rollout to younger age groups to tackle Indian variant PM set to reshuffle cabinet – who could be in and out? Johnson has defined what he wants from his government – but can he deliver it? David Davis telling PM to resign is ‘damaging’, health secretary admits MP who defected to Labour claims he was threatened with loss of school in constituency Tory whips ‘looking at whether they know’ who made misogynistic Rayner remarks Newspaper editor refuses to meet Commons speaker over ‘misogynistic’ Rayner article Travel industry had months to prepare for half-term rush, minister says