EU: British Musicians Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
Lord Aberdare
Main Page: Lord Aberdare (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)Department Debates - View all Lord Aberdare's debates with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
(4 years, 5 months ago)
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Baroness Barran
My noble friend is right that the carnet can be expensive, particularly for individual musicians. That is why we are trying to negotiate a reciprocal deal, which may mean that there are new processes that musicians will have to comply with. But we hope that they will be practical and workable for them.
Lord Aberdare (CB)
My Lords, the London Symphony Orchestra is one of the world’s leading orchestras and a globally recognised UK brand, making a significant contribution to the UK’s soft power. No less than 45% of its income comes from international touring. Can the Minister tell us a little more about what specifically the Government are doing to set up mutual arrangements with overseas Governments, including in the EU, to allow a return to international touring for all UK orchestras as quickly and safely as possible?
Baroness Barran
The noble Lord is right that organisations such as the London Symphony Orchestra are crucial to our soft power. We are doing everything in these negotiations, and more broadly, to build the UK’s presence globally, with help from organisations such as the Creative Industries Council and others. In relation to the particular strains due to Covid he will be aware that we have announced a cultural renewal task force, which is already busily looking at all these issues.