Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Labour - Denton and Reddish)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure visa-free travel for (a) UK musicians touring in the EU and (b) EU musicians touring in the UK.
Answered by Oliver Dowden - Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
The Government recognises the importance of touring for UK musicians and other creative professionals. We acknowledge that there will be some additional processes for those in creative industries working across the EU now that the transition period has come to an end. However, our agreement with the EU contains Transparency and Procedural Facilitation measures that will help ensure visa processes are as prompt and smooth as possible.
During our negotiations with the EU, the UK proposed measures, reflecting the views of the music industry itself, that would have allowed musicians to travel and perform in the UK and the EU more easily, without needing work-permits. Specifically, we proposed to capture the work done by musicians, artists and entertainers, and their accompanying staff through the list of permitted activities for short-term business visitors.
In practice this would have delivered an outcome that is closer to the UK’s approach to incoming musicians, artists and entertainers from non-visa national countries, such as EU Member States and the US, who can come to perform in the UK without requiring a visa. Unfortunately, these proposals were repeatedly rejected by the EU.
The EU did not propose and wouldn’t accept a tailored deal for musicians, artists and their support staff to tour across the EU and UK.
Going forward, we will continue our close dialogue with the creative and cultural sectors to ensure that they have the support they need to thrive.The Government recognises the importance of touring for UK musicians and other creative professionals, and has engaged extensively with the creative industries and arts sector since the announcement of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to ensure they are aware of the new requirements.
Asked by: Kevin Brennan (Labour - Cardiff West)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on negotiating a mutual 90-day work permit exemption with European Union countries for performers.
Answered by Oliver Dowden - Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
The Government recognises the importance of touring for UK musicians and other creative professionals. We acknowledge that there will be some additional processes for those in creative industries working across the EU now that the transition period has come to an end. However, our agreement with the EU contains Transparency and Procedural Facilitation measures that will help ensure visa processes are as prompt and smooth as possible.
During our negotiations with the EU, the UK proposed measures, reflecting the views of the music industry itself, that would have allowed musicians to travel and perform in the UK and the EU more easily, without needing work-permits. Specifically, we proposed to capture the work done by musicians, artists and entertainers, and their accompanying staff through the list of permitted activities for short-term business visitors.
In practice this would have delivered an outcome that is closer to the UK’s approach to incoming musicians, artists and entertainers from non-visa national countries, such as EU Member States and the US, who can come to perform in the UK without requiring a visa. Unfortunately, these proposals were repeatedly rejected by the EU.
The EU did not propose and wouldn’t accept a tailored deal for musicians, artists and their support staff to tour across the EU and UK.
Going forward, we will continue our close dialogue with the creative and cultural sectors to ensure that they have the support they need to thrive.The Government recognises the importance of touring for UK musicians and other creative professionals, and has engaged extensively with the creative industries and arts sector since the announcement of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to ensure they are aware of the new requirements.
Asked by: Kevin Brennan (Labour - Cardiff West)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the comments of the Parliamentary under Secretary of State for his Department on Twitter on 10 January 2020, if the Government will publish details of (a) the more ambitious agreement with the EU on the temporary movement of business travellers covering musicians and others and (b) all UK proposals on movement of business travellers that were rejected during negotiations on the UK's Future Relationship with the EU.
Answered by Oliver Dowden - Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
The Government recognises the importance of touring for UK musicians and other creative professionals. We acknowledge that there will be some additional processes for those in creative industries working across the EU now that the transition period has come to an end. However, our agreement with the EU contains Transparency and Procedural Facilitation measures that will help ensure visa processes are as prompt and smooth as possible.
During our negotiations with the EU, the UK proposed measures, reflecting the views of the music industry itself, that would have allowed musicians to travel and perform in the UK and the EU more easily, without needing work-permits. Specifically, we proposed to capture the work done by musicians, artists and entertainers, and their accompanying staff through the list of permitted activities for short-term business visitors.
In practice this would have delivered an outcome that is closer to the UK’s approach to incoming musicians, artists and entertainers from non-visa national countries, such as EU Member States and the US, who can come to perform in the UK without requiring a visa. Unfortunately, these proposals were repeatedly rejected by the EU.
The EU did not propose and wouldn’t accept a tailored deal for musicians, artists and their support staff to tour across the EU and UK.
Going forward, we will continue our close dialogue with the creative and cultural sectors to ensure that they have the support they need to thrive.The Government recognises the importance of touring for UK musicians and other creative professionals, and has engaged extensively with the creative industries and arts sector since the announcement of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to ensure they are aware of the new requirements.
Asked by: Earl of Clancarty (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Barran on 3 June (HL Deb, col 1360), on what basis they consider that a touring visa is not "legally possible".
Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
In my response to The Earl of Clancarty in Parliament on 3 June, I said that a touring visa as he proposed was not “legally possible”.
I am afraid that this could have been phrased more accurately. While a visa of the kind he proposed is not legally impossible, the legal arrangements of the EU make it less negotiable, and each individual EU member state retains the right to caveat the third-party mobility arrangements negotiated at an EU-wide level. We are not asking for a special, bespoke, or unique deal. We are looking for a deal like the free trade agreements the EU has previously struck with other friendly countries such as Canada.
We recognise that music and the performing arts are culturally and economically crucial industries. Through negotiations with the EU on Mobility and Mode IV we are exploring how we can provide greater certainty to these industries in the future through reciprocal provisions based on best precedent.
Asked by: Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the statement by Baroness Barran on 3 June (HL Deb, col 1360), why they believe that a reciprocal two-year EU-wide multi-entry touring visa for musicians and others is not legally possible.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
In my response to The Earl of Clancarty in Parliament on 3 June, I said that a touring visa as he proposed was not “legally possible”.
I am afraid that this could have been phrased more accurately. While a visa of the kind he proposed is not legally impossible, the legal arrangements of the EU make it less negotiable, and each individual EU member state retains the right to caveat the third-party mobility arrangements negotiated at an EU-wide level. We are not asking for a special, bespoke, or unique deal. We are looking for a deal like the free trade agreements the EU has previously struck with other friendly countries such as Canada.
We recognise that music and the performing arts are culturally and economically crucial industries. Through negotiations with the EU on Mobility and Mode IV we are exploring how we can provide greater certainty to these industries in the future through reciprocal provisions based on best precedent.
Asked by: Tommy Sheppard (Scottish National Party - Edinburgh East)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will publish guidance for musicians and other performers on (a) travelling and (b) working in EU countries in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Leaving the EU requires musicians and performers to adapt their current processes as they travel to and work in the EU. We have engaged extensively with stakeholders to ensure we fully understand these changes and to support the sector with their preparations..
We have also worked extensively with colleagues across government to ensure musicians and performers’ interests are being considered as we prepare to exit the EU. Specific advice regarding travel and working abroad can be found on the Government’s Get Ready For Brexit webpage.
We are ensuring that latest guidance and updates regarding how organisations can best prepare for travelling and working internationally forms a key part of our business readiness preparations. My department is holding bespoke arts industry workshops designed to support individuals and organisations in the arts, culture and heritage sectors as they prepare. The government is also holding nationwide events offering tailored guidance and support which are open to all, to help prepare for Brexit.
The Association of British Orchestras and UK Theatre have also been granted Government funding to provide industry briefings, open to those in their sectors and beyond.
Asked by: Peter Kyle (Labour - Hove)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reasons UK actors auditioning to work in EU countries are being asked by theatre companies and arts organisations to provide current EU passports; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Caroline Nokes
Pre-employment checks by theatre companies and organisations employing UK nationals to work in other EU countries are a matter for those organisations. Until the UK leaves the EU, UK nationals continue to have the same rights to live and work in other EU member states as they do now.
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what plans he has in place for UK (a) musicians, (b) dancers, (c) comedians and (d) other creative workers to (i) tour and (ii) undertake (A) performances, (B) shoots and (C) other short-term projects in EU countries in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 29 March 2019; whether (1) those people and activities will be covered by the proposals on visa-free travel to EU countries after exit day, (2) UK passport holders will be considered third party nationals by countries within the Schengen area and need to apply for visas and work permits under that country’s immigration system for non-EEA citizens or (3) another system will apply; and if his Department will provide guidance for UK citizens on working in the EU at https://www.gov.uk/prepare-eu-exit.
Answered by Robin Walker
Delivering the deal negotiated with the EU remains the Government’s top priority.
In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the EU have said that UK nationals will be considered third country nationals by countries in the Schengen area after 29 March 2019.
The EU has confirmed that UK nationals would not need a visa when travelling to the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This will be reciprocated by the UK for EU citizens. The commitment to visa-free travel only applies to tourists and short-term business travellers. Extra conditions may be required for travel for the purposes of work and for certain business activities. Musicians, comedians and other UK creative workers will need to check individual EU member state immigration rules for more information regarding visits for work.
The FCO provides travel advice to UK nationals travelling abroad on gov.uk, and this will include information on travelling to countries in the Schengen area in the event of a no deal. We have published advice on the steps that UK nationals may need to take to prepare for our exit from the EU, which can be found at gov.uk/euexit. The Government will publish any necessary updates on gov.uk in due course.
Asked by: Kevin Brennan (Labour - Cardiff West)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many people were employed who were of the nationality of each non-UK member state in each of the nine sub-sectors of the creative industries in each year since 2010.
Answered by Matt Hancock
DCMS have not published data for the number of people employed in the Creative Industries by each of the non-UK member states individually. However, the total number of people employed from the EU, excluding the UK, are available for 2012 to 2016 by Creative Industries sub-sectors, and are published at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/632833/DCMS_Sectors_Economic_Estimates_Employment_Creative_Industries_Subsectors.xlsx, and in the table below.
Employment in Creative Industries sub-sectors
from
EU countries (excluding UK)
Unit: Thousands
Years: 2012-2016
Coverage: UK
Sub-sector | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
Advertising and marketing | 12 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 11 |
Architecture | - | - | 9 | 7 | 9 |
Crafts | - | - | - | - | - |
Design and designer fashion | 7 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 11 |
Film, TV, video, radio and photography | 13 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 16 |
IT, software and computer services | 27 | 30 | 34 | 37 | 52 |
Publishing | 14 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 19 |
Museums, galleries and libraries | - | - | - | - | - |
Music, performing and visual arts | 9 | 7 | 11 | 14 | 12 |
Creative Industries | 89 | 86 | 105 | 115 | 131 |
Notes
1. Estimates rounded to the nearest 1,000.
2. - denotes data have been supressed to avoid disclosure.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Cambridge (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to increase funding for the British Council, in the light of the UK's exit from the European Union and the British Council's role in, and potential for, developing strong relationships with future trading allies through cultural diplomacy and soft power.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The Government will continue to invest in the British Council, which plays a critical role in developing international cultural relations and delivering programmes around the world which support economic and social development; help strengthen institutions, good governance and civil society; encourage debate and dialogue; and develop creativity and the arts.
The British Council has worked successfully with European neighbours for over eighty years. We have no plans at present to increase grant funding to the British Council, but will continue to support them as they find ways to work in partnership with European countries and with EU institutions to create opportunities, build connections and engender trust.