Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Paragraph: 62
The UK-EU trade and co-operation deal threatens not only the vibrancy of the UK’s festivals...
Conclusion
The UK-EU trade and co-operation deal threatens not only the vibrancy of the UK’s festivals but the music industry as a whole. The cost and complication of moving people and equipment between the UK and EU will make it less attractive for bands from overseas to play at the UK’s festivals, and will limit the chances for UK artists and crews to build audiences and contacts at European festivals. We are not aware of any progress having been made to resolve the issues arising from the deal, and will continue to put pressure on the Government by questioning the Secretary of State, DCMS Ministers and the Rt Hon Lord Frost CMG.
Paragraph Reference:
62
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
This Government recognises the importance of the UK’s creative and cultural industries, not only to the economy and international reputation of the United Kingdom, but also to the wellbeing and enrichment of its people. We want musicians and touring performers to be able to tour abroad easily. The British people voted to take back control of our borders and end free movement with the EU in the 2016 referendum. That was a key part of the manifesto on which the Government won the 2019 election and is reflected in the agreement. It was inevitable therefore that there would be changes in the arrangements under which creative workers work in the EU. The UK took an ambitious approach during negotiations that would have ensured that touring artists and their support staff did not need work-permits to perform in the EU; however, the EU did not sign up to these proposals. Our recent trade deal with the three EFTA countries was based on the same offer, and shows it is workable and that we're fighting to help musicians and touring performers tour abroad. Our door remains open if the EU is willing to revisit these proposals. Our focus is now on bilateral engagement with Member States, who are principally responsible for deciding the rules governing what work UK visitors can undertake in the EU. This is why we have spoken to every EU Member State about the importance of touring. From these discussions, 19 out of 27 Member States have confirmed that UK musicians and performers do not need visas or work permits for short-term tours. This includes most of the biggest touring markets, including France, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy. We are now actively engaging with those remaining Member States to encourage them to more closely align requirements with the UK’s generous rules, which allow creative professionals to tour easily here. Formal approaches have been made to each of these Member States. DCMS ministers have been speaking, and will continue to speak to their counterparts as part of these discussions, and we are working with the sector to amplify each other’s lobbying efforts. To support this focus on bilateral engagement, we have worked urgently across government, and in collaboration with the music and wider creative industries, to support touring. This includes establishing a new DCMS-led working group, producing new guidance and gov.uk ‘landing pages’ to help artists and performers understand what's required in different countries, and looking carefully at proposals for a new Export Office that could provide further practical help. The Government recognises that there remain challenges for touring and is focused on continuing to work closely with the creative industries, including to keep them informed of progress. We consider this is the most appropriate channel for communicating and updating on the actions we are taking.