The government is facing calls to protect self-employed workers in the music industry as changes to the Universal Credit benefits system loom.

According to M Magazine, UK Music's chief executive Michael Dugher has revealed that the changes to the surplus earnings benefits, due to come into effect on 9th April, could affect around 24 per cent of the 675,000 self-employed workers within the creative industry.

The head of the music industry trade body added that, despite their fluctuating earnings, the changes could leave a huge number of self-employed workers, from musicians and artists to producers and sound crew, left without benefits following months where they earn more than £2,500.

Festival workers are expected to be the worst hit by the changes as a result of their dramatic increase in working hours during the summer months, and potential low pay for the remainder of the year.

In a letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Esther McVey, Dugher said: "Self-employment is at the heart of what is Britain’s £4.4bn music industry," he said. "We should be making life easier, not harder, for self-employed people in the industry."

"Self-employment is at the heart of what is Britain’s £4.4bn music industry. We should be making life easier, not harder, for self-employed people in the industry," Mr Dugher added.