UK Parliament On Artists’ Brexit Concerns: ‘Musicians Will Be Able To Travel And Work In The EU As They Do Now’

– UK Parliament
Nothing should change for touring musicians until at least Dec. 2020

A letter sent to UK Music on behalf of Britain’s prime minister Theresa May states and agreement that was been reached between the UK and the EU, guaranteeing that musicians will be able to travel and work in the EU as they do now, at least until Dec. 2020.

Michael Dugher, CEO of industry body UK Music had sent a letter to government in November, outlining its concerns over Brexit. In it, he addressed open questions about the freedom of movement of people and goods, as well as the impacts on the UK copyright legislation, which is currently based on EU directives.

The response letter penned by Robin Walker, the parliamentary under the secretary of state for exiting the European Union Stephen Barclay, addresses each point.

Nothing should change for touring artists from the UK until at least Dec. 2020.

“The UK and EU negotiating teams have reached agreement on the term of an implementation period that will start on 30 March 2019 and last until 31 December 2020. During the implementation period, the UK will no longer be a Member State of the European Union, but market access will continue on current terms and UK nationals, including musicians, will be able to travel and work in the EU as they do now,” Walker writes.

He adds that, “as our White Paper on our future relationship with the EU sets out (…) we will seek a specific co-operative accord with the EU which will make specific provisions for mobility to allow UK musicians to perform in the EU, and EU musicians to perform in the UK.”

According to the letter, the UK will also seek to “allow business professionals to move to provide services, or tourists to continue to travel visa-free.”

Another agreement lays out both governments’ “commitment to a free trade arena for goods, with no tariffs and no quotas.” According to the letter, the UK government recognizes “that the temporary movement of goods and equipment is a priority for music cultural and creative sectors. This includes instruments and equipment used by touring musicians.”

Walker explains that, according to the so-called European Union (Withdrawal) Act, existing copyright statues should remain in place to allow business to continue as usual for the time being. After Brexit, UK Parliament would scrutinise replacing current EU arrangements in UK law.