Hauliers

Debate between Lord Lexden and Lord Strasburger

Thursday 4th March 2021 Grand Committee

[Lord Strasburger (LD) [V]]

My Lords, a highly successful sector of the UK haulage industry specialises in transporting staging, instruments and equipment around the UK and Europe for touring musicians. There are about eight major companies in this sector and they also work for dance companies, theatre, fashion, museums, and big events businesses. These British companies are pre-eminent in their field and it is estimated that they transport 80% of British and American bands on European tours.

However, the Government’s failure to secure a cultural exemption from cabotage rules in the EU trade negotiations means that it is all going to hell in a handcart. Their trucks must now return to the UK every two gigs in a tour of perhaps 25 venues, which is not remotely feasible. They are moving their businesses into the EU, at great cost to themselves and UK plc. How did the Government allow this catastrophe to happen and what are they going to do to save the industry?

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lord Lexden) (Con)]

I call the noble Lord, Lord Bhatia. No? Then I call the noble Baroness, Lady Bull.