UK Music Chief Executive has welcomed PM Boris Johnson’s commitment that
he will fix the work permits crisis facing touring musicians.
DCMS Select Committee Chair quizzed the PM over the issue when he appeared
before the Liaison Committee at Westminster yesterday (Weds).
Mr Knight told the PM that workers in the creative industries now
faced “uneconomic visa fees”, struggled to move instruments and
kit and were losing work to those with EU passports. He asked:
“Why were these sectors allowed to suffer a no deal Brexit?”
The Prime Minister replied that talks were under way with the
UK’s EU partners and he was “passionate” about the ability of
artists to be able to tour freely, citing a group called the
English comedians who performed Hamlet in German in 1620.
The PM said the Government was working “flat out” to find a
solution.
He added: “I want to say how strongly I share the frustrations of
the sector. This is a massively important part of the economy
that contributes many of billions of pounds to the economy and
jobs and to the general joy of the nation. It is hugely important
and they are also a massive export industry. We must fix it.”
UK Music Chief Executive said: “It’s very welcome to hear the Prime
Minister highlight the importance of the UK music industry and
promise to resolve the huge challenges musicians and crews are
now facing when it comes to working in Europe.
“It is also good to hear that the Government is ‘working flat out
bilaterally with countries’, and we look forward to hearing of
more progress on this front soon. We stand ready to support
Government in these negotiations with different member states,
which must be an utmost priority.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Verbatim Transcript Liaison Committee 24-03-2021: https://www.ukmusic.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Verbatim-Transcript-Liason-Committee-24-03-2021.pdf
