EU-UK Summit: Visa Waiver Agreement

Earl of Clancarty Excerpts

Thursday 8th May 2025 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[The Earl of Clancarty]

To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they plan to negotiate a visa waiver agreement for creative professionals touring the EU; and whether this will be on the agenda at the EU-UK summit on 19 May.

[Baroness in Waiting/Government Whip (Baroness Blake of Leeds) (Lab)]

My Lords, the Government are committed to a closer and more co-operative relationship with the EU. The UK-EU summit will be an important milestone towards a new strategic partnership, and we will provide further details on the agenda in due course. We are engaging constructively with the EU and member states to improve touring arrangements, allowing our artists to contribute to Europe’s rich cultural landscape and support shared growth while respecting the regulatory frameworks on both sides.

[The Earl of Clancarty (CB)]

My Lords, it is a little disappointing that the Government cannot confirm, with 11 days to go, whether touring will be on the agenda of the 19 May summit. Talking with other EU Culture Ministers is helpful—if this was discussed by Chris Bryant in Poland—but would the Minister not agree that, ultimately, this issue has to be resolved directly with the EU, not least because of the significant cross-border aspects to the problem? Cabotage is a major aspect of that. The Government promised to sort this; they need to do so.

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

I thank the noble Earl for his continued interest and for putting us all under pressure on this important issue. I emphasise that supporting touring artists was a manifesto commitment for the Government a year ago. As such, it is a priority for the Government. We remain in constructive dialogue with the EU on tackling the challenges facing cultural and creative professionals and their support staff when touring in the EU, along with many other issues. It is a very important date in the diary, and we will provide details of the agenda in due course.