Touring: Impact of EU Exit

Baroness Bull Excerpts

Tuesday 1st September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

It is really useful research, and I hope we use it in our dialogue with countries across the world. I will feed that point back to Minister Ian Murray. It is really important that we use what information we can to demonstrate the huge benefit to people; it is a mutual benefit and similar issues apply.

[Baroness Bull (CB)]

My Lords, I too very much welcome the commissioning of this report. At every meeting of the PPA so far, Members of this House have been making the point about mutual loss. Every time, EU Ministers have come back and claimed that there is no financial loss—but here we see there is. Does the Minister acknowledge that the artistic, audience and skills development that comes from cultural exchange over centuries has been important in shaping our cultural landscape and that, in losing touring, we are losing both important revenue and that cultural gain? That really matters.

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

It absolutely matters. From the Dispatch Box, I have regularly spoken about the importance of soft power. All these things matter. Cultural exchange is central to our future as a European country, and we are keen to do whatever we can to make sure that that is as strong as possible.