State of Play: Performing arts touring in the EU
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Where it stands
The inquiry is closed, opened 6 January 2026.
The committee has published 1 report, most recently 1st Report - Cultural touring in the EU on 15 June 2026.
The government's response
Published 4 September 2026. The deadline was 24 August 2026.
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The Government welcomes the report and shares the Committee's desire to see "tangible progress" on touring barriers, but says many issues depend on agreement with the EU and Member States and it makes few new commitments.
- On UK-EU talks, it says progress "cannot be delivered unilaterally" and it will "continue to engage constructively". It says it would not be appropriate to provide "a running commentary" on ongoing discussions.
- On Creative Europe, the Government "has no plans to join". Any future participation in AgoraEU "would be considered on a case-by-case basis", as its final design is not yet settled.
- On unilateral measures, it has "no current plans to subsidise carnets" and sees the Orchestra Tax Relief change as appropriate. It has "no plans to designate St Pancras as a CITES Port of Entry and Exit" but "will keep this position under review should circumstances change".
- On an advice hub, it says its ability "to go further than the current offer is limited". It points to a commitment, announced in the Music Plan, to "improve and update the GOV.UK guidance".
Recommendations and conclusions
- Recommendation 2Recommendation
- Conclusion 3Conclusion
- Recommendation 4Recommendation
Reports
- 1st Report - Cultural touring in the EU15 June 2026 · 6 items
Evidence
- 1 oral evidence sessionLatest 3 February 2026
- 6 witnesses
Recent activity
- 3rd Special Report - Cultural touring in the EU: Government response4 September 2026, Report published
- 1st Report - Cultural touring in the EU15 June 2026, Report published
- Letter from Rt Hon Ian Murray MP, Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts, regarding performing arts and music sectors, 2 April 202614 April 2026, Correspondence
Recommendations and conclusions 6 shown
Conclusion 3
Concluded (the committee's words)Recommendation 4
Recommended (the committee's words)Recommendation 5
Recommended (the committee's words)Recommendation 6
Recommended (the committee's words)Recommendation 7
Recommended (the committee's words)Reports
1st Report - Cultural touring in the EU
- HC No.
- HC 141
- Published
- 15 Jun 2026
- Items
- 6
- Government response
- Government response published 4 September 2026 (deadline 24 August 2026). Read the government's response ↗
Oral evidence sessions
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| Date | Session and witnesses | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Feb 2026 |
Oral evidence session
Euan Livingstone · Global Artists,
Hanna Madalska-Gayer · Association of British Orchestras,
Kate Nash,
Matt Hood · Spotlight,
Naomi Pohl · Musicians’ Union,
Tom Peters · Equity
|
View ↗ |
Who gave evidence
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| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Euan Livingstone · Agent | Global Artists | 1 |
| Hanna Madalska-Gayer · Head of Policy and Communications | Association of British Orchestras | 1 |
| Kate Nash | Not recorded | 1 |
| Matt Hood · Managing Director | Spotlight | 1 |
| Naomi Pohl · General Secretary | Musicians’ Union | 1 |
| Tom Peters · Head of Policy & Public Affairs | Equity | 1 |
Correspondence
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| Published | Direction | Letter |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Apr 2026 | To committee | Letter from Rt Hon Ian Murray MP, Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts, regarding performing arts and music sectors, 2 April 2026 |
| 14 Apr 2026 | To committee | Letter from Karim Fatehi OBE, Chief Executive, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, regarding ATA carnets for cultural touring, 27 March 2026 |