Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to negotiate with the EU a visa waiver agreement for UK musicians and other artists touring and working on a temporary basis in the EU.

The UK took an ambitious approach to negotiations with the EU, and our proposals would have ensured that touring artists and their support staff did not need work-permits to perform in the EU. Regrettably, these were rejected by the EU.

It is not UK Government policy to negotiate visa-waivers. The Government is focussed on supporting the creative sector to adapt to requirements for touring in the EU and has now confirmed the vast majority of Member States offer visa and work permit free routes for touring. The UK Government has engaged with the remaining Member States on allowing creative professionals to tour more easily, however ultimately it is up to these countries to align their requirements more closely with the UK's generous rules.