Legendary record producer and musician Nile Rodgers - who has worked with stars such as Madonna, David Bowie and Diana Ross - has thanked Esther McVey for leading the fight to ensure artists get their "fair share of the pie" when songs are streamed.

It is thought streaming services take 30-34 per cent of revenues from a stream, with the label taking 55 per cent and the rest shared out between the recording artist, publisher, and songwriter.

But Tatton MP Esther McVey led the charge in Westminster calling for a fairer deal for how royalties are divided and this weekend received praise from the music hall of fame member – who has sold over 500 million albums worldwide throughout his career - for pushing the matter in Parliament.

Founder of Chic, Mr Rodgers said: "We started this fight four years ago we never would have thought it would be politicians and Members of Parliament that could clearly see the problems of the music industry.

"The Culture, Media, and Sport Committee (DCMS) made incredible, astute, and strong recommendations to Government on behalf of songwriters.

"They have ensured songwriters are recognised and remunerated properly.

"On behalf of the artists and songwriters I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the work that you are doing."

Northwich Guardian: Nile Rodgers is heading to a County Durham venue this weekend to perform alongside CHIC

Mr Rodgers name checked Ms McVey during a concert at the weekend at Hampton Court Palace thanking them for their support for songwriters

Ms McVey wrote to the Prime Minister earlier this year setting out concerns, backed by dozens of MPs.

She said while streaming had created huge opportunities, a gap in the law meant streaming income ends up in the pockets of record labels, streaming platforms, and digital giants, rather than in the hands of the artists.

"These huge and often foreign-owned multinational corporations have done astronomically well this past year compared to artists," she said.

"With live venues closed for so long due to the coronavirus pandemic, there has been increased scrutiny on streaming.

"The way the revenue is divided is wrong and needs to change to ensure a level playing field for everyone involved.

"With the increase in streaming, it is many musicians' only source of income.

"Britain’s cultural heritage is under threat and we urge you to fix streaming so that it pays like radio.

"Importantly, this change would not cost the taxpayer a penny.

"Conversely, it will put more money in the pockets of British taxpayers, as well as create British jobs in the music industry and raise revenues for British public services like the NHS.

"This is the sort of governance our constituents want to see as we emerge from the pandemic: common sense reforms that put taxpayers first and help deliver on your levelling up agenda."

The DCMS select committee has been looking into the issue and heard from Mr Rodgers and other musicians as part of its inquiry.

Its report found that unless artists received a larger share of revenues, the UK’s landscape could be transformed within a decade.