Brexit: movement of people in the fields of sport and culture - oral evidence given to Lords EU Home Affairs sub-committee - Feb 21

Scope of inquiry

EU/EEA nationals wishing to immigrate or move temporarily to the UK to work in the fields of sport and culture (and vice versa) currently enjoy freedom of movement. But those from non-EU/EEA countries must be sponsored by a relevant governing body (for example, the Football Association) or obtain an endorsement that the applicant is a recognised or emerging leader in their field. BBC research has shown that without freedom of movement, 332 current players in the English Premier League, the Championship and the Scottish Premier League would not meet the requirements for non-EU/EEA nationals, while UK Music's 2016 Diversity Strategy found that 10% of the UK music industry workforce held an EU passport for a non-UK member state. 

This inquiry will examine possible future arrangements for the movement of people between the UK and EU in the fields of sports and culture, and the impact that these arrangements could have.

The Committee will be begin taking oral evidence for this inquiry in February.

Evidence given by Mr James Allen, Director of Policy, Governance and External Affairs, Sport and Recreation Alliance; Mr Brendon Batson OBE, Chairman, Professional Players Federation; Mr Angus Bujalski, Legal and Governance Director, Rugby Football Union.

Brexit: movement of people in the fields of sport and culture - oral evidence