Being a member of MU also give me the essential 10 million pounds Public Liability insurance.

I don't have the current MU rate to hand but in 2007 it was:

For engagements of over two hours up to 3 hours a minimum payment of £71.40

For all engagements over 3 hours an additional £12.70 per half hour of part thereof to be added to the minimum of £71.40

[ie for a four hour ceilidh £96.80]

After Midnight £17.85 per half hour or part thereof

[One can also argue that setting up/soundcheck/breakdown time is also liable for payment]


Distance Fees: where more than 20 mile are travelled in total in performing an engagement (using a central point determined by each Region to calculate the distance) a distance fee is payable to each musician. The rate is 15p per mile ....this is in addition to fuel costs etc. which are also the responsibility of the engager

[I believe that in my Region the 'central point' is the union office in Birmingham - and I live 35 miles away in Shropshire, so gigs in Brum would not rate payment, but local ones in Shropshire would!!]!)

I actually charge at least 20p per mile for fuel - and if it's any distance I increase that to 30p per mile - fuel costs are huge these days, as is cost of maintaining, taxing, insuring and depreciation of vehicle

This is part of what I do for a living, I pay my own Nat.Insurance,and I don't get paid holidays/sick pay/ etc so have to charge a proper fee
Dave