Musicians Touring the EU 2021-09-16
2021-09-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The UK's withdrawal from the EU has impacted European tours for UK-based musicians.
What support her Department is providing to help touring musicians to work in Europe following the UK's withdrawal from the EU?
Ministers, officials and diplomats have been speaking to EU member states to establish arrangements for touring musicians and other artists. I can confirm that at least 19 out of 27 member states allow some visa and permit-free touring. We are continuing to engage with the remaining member states to encourage them to align requirements more closely with our own.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
There has been limited progress on facilitating easier touring for independent musicians in Europe, despite previous initiatives.
The cost and bureaucracy involved now prohibit South Shields' independent musicians from showcasing their talents across Europe. The hon. Member asked the Minister to implement a pan-European EU visa and work permit waiver on her first day as Secretary of State; will she do so?
I thank the hon. Lady for her question; I had a wonderful break up in the north-east and enjoyed her constituency over the summer. I will be happy to ask the Secretary of State to look at that proposal, but we put forward, as part of the EU negotiations, a very fair proposal to our EU member state counterparts, which, unfortunately, they rejected.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific request for implementation was not addressed directly; instead, the Minister focused on past proposals and rejections.
Under Review
Previous Actions
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The current measures are insufficient for many smaller groups and independent artists, leading to increased bureaucracy and costs.
North East Fife hosts festivals where local artists can share their work with performers from Europe but clearly sufficient steps have not been taken. What other steps can the Minister take to ensure that we get people out to Europe and performing?
I thank the hon. Lady for her question. As I mentioned, there have been intensive negotiations at a ministerial level with our EU counterparts and a lot of progress has been made. We now have agreements with 19 of the 27 members states that allow visa and permit-free touring, but we want to make more progress because we know this is a very important issue for musicians and artists across the country.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was not directly addressed; instead, general progress made so far was highlighted.
Previous Actions
Ongoing Negotiations
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Despite the Department's assertions of progress, industry feedback indicates no substantial changes have occurred.
Since the original Brexit deal was signed, what exactly has changed for UK musicians touring in Europe?
I thank the hon. Lady for her passion, and we share that intensity of desire to get this issue sorted for UK musicians. The challenge is our desire to secure the same freedoms for our musicians in the EU that EU musicians are allowed when they come over to the UK. We will continue our intensive negotiations, but we have to accept that this is not in our control.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific changes requested were not detailed; focus was on ongoing challenges and negotiations.
Ongoing Negotiations
Response accuracy