Deborah Annetts wants a visa waiver to be negotiated (Image: PARLIAMENT.TV)
Deborah Annetts, chief executive of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, spelt out the urgency in fixing the deal for artists.
She said touring musicians are thinking in quite desperate terms about whether they can continue in the industry with post-Brexit travel rules.
The sector leader called on Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage negotiate with European capitals to put in place a visa waiver agreement .
Earlier this month Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden accused the EU of being absurd and self-defeating by rejecting an offer made by the UK in trade talks to secure visas for touring artists.
Musicians in ‘quite desperate’ position over post-Brexit travel rules
The 2019 Glastonbury Festival (Yui Mok/PA)
Touring musicians are thinking in “quite desperate” terms about whether they can continue in the industry with post-Brexit travel rules, a sector leader has said.
Deborah Annetts, chief executive of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, said UK artists are already losing summer bookings due to the challenges faced touring inside the EU.
However, she said the freeze on travel and live performances due to the Covid-19 pandemic offers a “window” in which to resolve the issue.
@DamianHinds asks for primary request from Govt. @ISM music: Secure really straightforward visa-waiver agreement. @ProductionGuild: Simplification of immigration requirements in Europe. @FreelancersMake: Prioritise this successful industry – can t continue with current rules.
Leading British actors including Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart and Julie Walters are warning that the U.K. culture sector faces irreparable damage unless artists can tour the European Union without visas