Creative Professionals: EU Tours

Debate between Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay and Lord Strasburger

Monday 21st February 2022 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ashton of Hyde (Con)]

The noble Lord, Lord Strasburger, wishes to contribute virtually and I think this is a good point to call him.

[Lord Strasburger (LD) [V]]

My Lords, the UK’s second largest industry, the creative arts, was left high and dry by the Government’s trade deal with the EU. Touring in Europe is now almost impossible for British musicians and other performers because of a mountain of new red tape and costs. Bilateral deals are not enough. When will the Government do what the Tongan Government were able to do for their performers and negotiate EU-wide cultural exemptions for visas, work permits and trucking restrictions?

[Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Con)]

The case is not as gloomy as the noble Lord puts it. As I said, 21 of the 27 member states have already clarified their offer, and the UK’s offer to the rest of the world is very generous. We made a similar offer to the one that was rejected by the EU to the EFTA nations, which was agreed, showing that our proposals were not just possible but can be agreed and made to work. Regrettably, the EU did not offer a visa waiver for paid activities during the TCA negotiations and no major G7 economy has agreed to lock in its visa systems with the EU, which was the proposal that was on the table.