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Written Question
Musicians: EU Countries
Monday 29th March 2021

Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government which EU Member States they have spoken to since 1 January about touring arrangements for musicians; and whether any of the solutions relating (1) to visas, and (2) to work permits advocated by music organisations sitting on the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport's Cultural Renewal Taskforce Working Groups were discussed at those meetings.

Answered by Baroness Barran - Shadow Minister (Education)

This Government understands that the cultural and creative sectors rely on the ability to move people across borders quickly, simply, and with minimal cost and administration. Touring is a vital part of musicians’ and performers’ careers, providing not only a vital income stream, but also enriching opportunities for cultural exchange across the world.

The UK’s rules for touring creative professionals are more generous than many EU Member States. Our proposals remain on the table and our door is open if the EU is willing to reconsider its position.

We are now working urgently across government and in collaboration with the music and wider creative industries, including through the DCMS-led working group, to look at the issues and options, to help the sectors resume touring with ease as soon as it is safe to do so.

We will engage with bilateral partners to find ways to make life easier for those working in the creative industries in countries across the EU. We will prioritise seeking to ensure all Member States’ public guidance around existing rules is simple and accessible.

Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 18 Mar 2021
Office of Communications: Chair

"My Lords, I refer to my interests as set out in the register. Does my noble friend agree that just as important as the new chair of Ofcom are the new powers that Ofcom will have? The regulator will have significant extra responsibilities following online harms legislation and will have …..."
Lord Black of Brentwood - View Speech

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Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 11 Mar 2021
Music and Performing Arts Students: Visas and Work Permits

"To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the visa and work permit requirements for touring in the European Union on music and performing arts students in the United Kingdom...."
Lord Black of Brentwood - View Speech

View all Lord Black of Brentwood (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Music and Performing Arts Students: Visas and Work Permits
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 11 Mar 2021
Music and Performing Arts Students: Visas and Work Permits

"My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper and declare my interest as chairman of the Royal College of Music...."
Lord Black of Brentwood - View Speech

View all Lord Black of Brentwood (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Music and Performing Arts Students: Visas and Work Permits
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 11 Mar 2021
Music and Performing Arts Students: Visas and Work Permits

"My Lords, we are all aware of the damage to the creative economy from the new visa and work permit requirements for EU touring, with jobs lost and tours cancelled, but perhaps hardest hit are students in music and the performing arts. Does my noble friend acknowledge that students need …..."
Lord Black of Brentwood - View Speech

View all Lord Black of Brentwood (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Music and Performing Arts Students: Visas and Work Permits
Written Question
Entertainers: EU Countries
Wednesday 17th February 2021

Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the changes to the level of mobility and bureaucracy for touring performers, what plans they have to provide additional funding for the performing arts sector to mitigate against any potential (1) additional costs, and (2) loss of work, for such performers.

Answered by Baroness Barran - Shadow Minister (Education)

We know that while leaving the EU will bring changes and new processes to touring and working in the EU, it will also bring new opportunities. Leaving the EU has always meant that there would be changes to how practitioners operate in the EU.

Going forward we will continue to work closely with the sector, including with representative organisations, to assess the impact and to ensure businesses and individuals have the advice and guidance they need to meet new requirements. This includes the creation of a DCMS-led working group to bring together sector leads and other government departments to look at the issues facing these sectors when touring in the EU and explore what further steps could be taken to support them.

This Government recognises the importance of our world leading creative and cultural industries. That is why it provided an unprecedented £1.57bn package of support to help these sectors through the COVID-19 pandemic. To date over £1 billion has been awarded to over 3000 organisations, with 75,000 jobs saved so far, and many more freelancers also benefiting from new work that can now be created. This demonstrates our firm commitment to ensuring that UK culture continues to thrive.

Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 19 Jan 2021
European Union: Visa-free Touring for Musicians

"My Lords, I declare my interest as chairman of the Royal College of Music. Will my noble friend acknowledge that the current impasse will have a profoundly damaging impact on UK students, who need to travel to progress their careers but, as they will not earn large fees at that …..."
Lord Black of Brentwood - View Speech

View all Lord Black of Brentwood (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: European Union: Visa-free Touring for Musicians
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 15 Dec 2020
Covid-19: Arts Sector

"To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking (1) to support freelance workers in the arts sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, and (2) to ensure a return to live performances in that sector as soon as possible...."
Lord Black of Brentwood - View Speech

View all Lord Black of Brentwood (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Covid-19: Arts Sector
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 15 Dec 2020
Covid-19: Arts Sector

"My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper and declare my interest as chairman of the Royal College of Music...."
Lord Black of Brentwood - View Speech

View all Lord Black of Brentwood (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Covid-19: Arts Sector
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 15 Dec 2020
Covid-19: Arts Sector

"My Lords, the Covid emergency has been a catastrophe for music and other parts of the creative economy, and in particular for the freelancers who make up 72% of those working in the performing and visual arts. Nearly four in five of them earn less than £30,000 per year and …..."
Lord Black of Brentwood - View Speech

View all Lord Black of Brentwood (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Covid-19: Arts Sector