Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Musicians Touring in Europe

Thursday 15 June 2023 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government has engaged with 24 out of 27 EU countries on visa-free routes for musicians.
  • Arrangements for transporting portable instruments without ATA carnets are more workable than reported.
  • Government aims to ensure worldwide enjoyment of UK performances and has secured visa agreements for musicians.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Business & Trade
Context

Musicians face challenges with visas and work permits following Brexit, prompting efforts to clarify regulations and secure supportive routes.

Question

What progress has been made on supporting musicians planning to tour in Europe? The Musicians' Union reports difficulties with portable instruments and associated equipment. Is the Government negotiating an EU-wide cultural exemption?

Answer from John Whittingdale

Nearly all EU member states offer visa-free routes for musicians. We have engaged with 24 out of 27 countries on this issue, and we will continue to engage bilaterally with the remaining three. Portable musical instruments can be transported cost free in vehicles without ATA carnets.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific intention to negotiate an EU-wide cultural exemption was not addressed

How: We Will Continue To Engage Bilaterally With The Remaining Three

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Q2 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Immigration Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Musicians face challenges with visas and work permits following Brexit, prompting efforts to clarify regulations and secure supportive routes.

Question

The Government has made piecemeal progress on supporting touring musicians. The Musicians' Union reports difficulties with portable instruments and associated equipment. Is it the Government's intention to negotiate an EU-wide cultural exemption? If so, how are those negotiations going?

Answer from John Whittingdale

Nearly all member states offer visa-free routes for musicians. We will continue to engage with them bilaterally. On portable instruments, arrangements are more workable than reported, allowing cost-free transport without ATA carnets.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific intention to negotiate an EU-wide cultural exemption was not addressed

How: We Will Continue To Engage With Them Bilaterally

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Q3 Barbara Keeley Lab
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

UK music sector job losses and difficulties due to impractical cabotage rules, steep cost of carnets, bureaucratic A1 forms and CITES certificates.

Question

There will be a third fewer British performers playing at festivals across Europe this year than before Brexit. Promoters are less willing to book UK musicians due to the difficulties of touring post-Brexit. How can we remove these barriers for international touring?

Answer from John Whittingdale

We aim to ensure as many people worldwide enjoy UK performances. Visa agreements have been secured so that musicians no longer need visas, and we continue working with the Musicians' Union to make it easier in the future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Concrete steps addressing job losses were not provided

How: We Will Continue To Work On This

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Q4 John Nicolson SNP
Brexit Culture, Media & Sport Business & Trade
Context

UK music sector has seen a significant job loss since Brexit. Promoters and festivals are less willing to book UK acts due to bureaucratic issues.

Question

The situation for musicians looking to tour in the EU is worse than before Brexit. Paul Smith of VOCES8 Foundation described it as a 'nightmare'. Talented Scottish singer Iona Fyfe noted that promoters choose not to book emerging acts from the UK to avoid bureaucracy. We have seen 50,000 job losses since Brexit. How many more will it take for Ministers to address their responsibilities?

Answer from John Whittingdale

The announcements yesterday will grow the creative industries by an additional 1 million jobs, with £50 billion of growth. The music exports growth scheme has been successful and its funding is being tripled to £3.2 million.

Not addressed: Questions about job losses were not addressed; instead, positive economic projections for creative industries were provided

How: The Announcements Yesterday Will Grow The Creative Industries By An Additional 1 Million Jobs

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