“URGENT steps” required to negotiate a reciprocal visa waiver for British artists, musicians and orchestras says David Warburton, MP for Somerton & Frome.
He spoke out in a virtual parliamentary debate last week, urging support for musicians and creative professionals entering Europe for work following Brexit.
David Warburton is the lead signatory on a parliamentary Early Day Motion (EDM) tabled by Harriet Harman MP calling on the Government to return to negotiations with the EU to seek agreement to allow creative professionals to continue working freely following the UK’s departure from the EU.
A former musician and award-winning composer, David graduated with a Master’s degree from the Royal College of Music and studied towards a PhD in composition at King’s College, London, under the tutelage of Sir Harrison Birtwistle. In Parliament, he is chair of the APPG for Music, a member of the Performers’ Alliance APPG and vice-chair of the APPG for Music Education.
In his speech in the Commons, the MP emphasised the problem facing musicians and artists wanting to perform across the EU, “We’ve got ourselves into a sticky situation, for an enormously successful industry, because an industry visa-waiver hasn’t been agreed. Each EU country now treats UK citizens as visa nationals when entering the EU for paid work. Some EU countries apply a performers’ exemption, but not all. So artists may need a visa and work permit, depending on the rules in each of the EU27.”
He continued, “Obviously, facing 27 different regulatory regimes, immigration rules, and rules on work permits, is going to make multi-country touring massively more complicated – and hugely more expensive. And EU promoters are going to be far less likely to book British artists, orchestras, until this is sorted out.
“I’m keen to hear from the minister what urgent steps are being taken to negotiate an exemption from cabotage rules. And – of course – a reciprocal visa waiver, as exists between the EU and other “third countries.
He concluded, “The music industry must be mobile – it’s crucial for its success. In essence, like the pandemic, it’s the uncertainty that’s the challenge. We’ve got to clear that up, so – when the pandemic recedes – our world-leading industry can continue to flourish and grow.”
Responding to the Parliamentary debate – and to the overwhelming cross-party support for the Government to act urgently – Caroline Dinenage MP, Minister of State for Digital and Culture, said, “The outcome of the negotiations is deeply regrettable… It’s not the deal that DCMS or the Government wanted, and it’s not the deal that the negotiators pushed for. But my door remains one hundred percent open. There is scope to return to this issue in the future if the EU should change its mind and we would welcome it with open arms.”
