SNP MPs are demanding that the UK government urgently reverses
its damaging approach to visa-free work permits for musicians -
or risk performers moving overseas instead.
The decision to abolish touring visas for British musicians,
introduced on January 1 as part of Boris’ Johnson’s Brexit deal,
has been met with widespread condemnation – with over 280,000
people signing an online petition.
MPs across Westminster have criticised the move and have urged
the UK government to return to the negotiating table with the EU,
or face “disastrous consequences” for the creative sector.
It was revealed that during the initial negotiations, the
European Union offered to include visa-free work permits, but it
was rejected by on the grounds that the UK would have to reciprocate.
Commenting, SNP MP said:
“Scotland has long-standing creative ties with our European
neighbours, which has been utterly decimated as a result of
Brexit.
“The UK’s music industry is worth £5.8 billion annually, and
supports more than 200,000 jobs. For this UK government to
suggest that a touring visa was not compatible with ‘Brexit
Britain’ has rightly caused huge condemnation across the country.
“We are now seeing the costs of touring soar, making it
impossible for many musicians and performers to travel across
Europe freely. The SNP will not stand by quietly and see our
performers flee as a result of the disastrous consequences of
Brexit.
“Boris Johnson’s Brexit has, and will continue to be, an
unmitigated disaster. Our creative sector is being dismantled by
a Westminster government that Scotland did not vote for.
“The only way to protect our creative sector is for Scotland to
become an independent nation where the people of Scotland make
the decisions – not .”
