The EU has said that it will not reconsider restrictions on touring UK musicians following Brexit.
It comes after a study found that 50% of the country’s musicians consider a European tour financially unviable, according to Clash Music.
Fixing a hole
The FT reports that the EU is not considering loosening requirements on the UK’s musicians to procure both cultural performance visas for themselves and transport permits for their equipment when travelling to perform in the bloc. That’s despite ambitions by the new UK Labour government to achieve a deal for musicians to restore some of the mobility lost since the country’s exit from the EU.
An internal briefing document seen by the FT suggested that a loosening would require reforms to the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), with changes to customs and haulage that the European Commission is “not prepared to consider”.
The EU has suggested that the UK would need to sign up to a new youth mobility movement scheme, allowing those aged 18–30 to work and travel between the UK and EU, for it to consider changes to the TCA. However, UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has said there are “no plans” for such an agreement as things stand.
Half the world away
Half of UK musicians think touring in the EU is financially unviable, according to a recent survey commissioned by the UK’s Musicians Union.
A total of 75% of respondents who had previously worked in the EU said that work had declined since Brexit. Over a fifth had stopped working in the EU entirely after losing over 75% of their work there.
More than one in ten had experienced payments being withheld as a result of tax or national insurance complications, meanwhile.
Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade communications lead Thomas Lane said:
“One of the UK’s biggest cultural exports is music, with some of the biggest acts in the world hailing from the UK. Since Brexit we have seen a noticeable decline in smaller bands travelling to the EU.
“This touring experience is a rite of passage for many musicians honing their craft. This latest report shows the severity of the problem with customs checks, taxes and payments being a significant obstacle for UK touring artists. UK musicians need the support and guidance to help navigate these complex processes.”
Bloc party?
Musicians Union head of international Dave Webster noted the government’s intentions to seek a deal allowing easier movement of musicians and their equipment, saying:
“It’s very encouraging to hear the need to find solutions for touring musicians mentioned so often by the Labour ministers.
“We look forward to working with our music industry colleagues and Labour to drive this process forward. It is refreshing to have our concerns finally taken seriously. The last four years have now paid dividends in winning the argument for change.”
Mike Galsworthy, chair of the pro-EU group European Movement UK, said:
"Sir Keir Starmer cannot get something for nothing in his EU negotiations. We really need him to be more ambitious on this front and open up conversations about mobility in general, which is what the British public want to see.
“Remember, it's not just musicians, it's theatre groups, fashion photographers, dancers, comedians and British culture in all of its wonderful dimensions.”