Let me paint a simple scenario to demonstrate what happened.
Guy walks into a garage to by a new car. The new cars are lovely and shiny, and the signs say they re fast and economical, and they do look enticing. I want to buy a new car. These look great so I d like to buy one of these. says the man, eagerly getting his wallet out. Great replies the salesman. That will be £250,000 Sheesh, that s more than I d expected. Replies our surprised potential customer. I guess I should have asked the actual cost beforehand. But now I know how much it will cost me, I ll have to pass.
British musicians were dealt a major blow following the UK’s recent Brexit deal, which failed to secure visa-free travel across Europe for touring artists. The Brexit deal leaves UK musicians facing huge visa costs when touring on the continent, prompting artists to setup a petition that already has more than 155,000 signatures.
After years of wrangling, the UK finally struck a long-awaited deal with Brussels on Christmas Eve. However, the new deal excludes musicians from a list of workers exempt from entering the EU without a valid visa.
Meanwhile, new UK visa and immigration rules that come into force for EU citizens on 1 January 2021 will make it equally difficult for EU musicians to tour in Britain.
BBC News
By Paul Glynn
image captionLondon post-punk rock band Shame have European festival dates booked in for next summer
The government says it tried to secure better conditions for UK touring musicians during the Brexit negotiations, but its proposals were rejected by the EU.
The comments come in response to a petition - signed by stars like Ronan Keating, KT Tunstall, Gary Kemp and Tim Burgess - calling for visa-free travel around Europe for artists and crews.
The petition, which has now amassed more than 200,000 signatures, will be debated in parliament, the government confirmed.
From 1 January, the free movement of people between the UK and the EU will end. Touring musicians and their technical crews will face new rules, and could be subject to additional visa costs and paperwork.
The petition reached the milestone as Prime Minister Boris Johnson formally signed the post-Brexit trade deal with the EU.
In a statement, the Government said it had pushed for a “more ambitious agreement” on travel for artists after Brexit, but was rejected by the EU.
A spokesperson said: “Short-term visitors to the EU can continue to join business meetings, receive training, and attend sporting and cultural events, amongst other permitted activities, without requiring a visa. Some member states may allow other types of business travel visa-free, so people should check the rules of the country they are travelling to.
“We recognise that there could be some additional processes for those working in creative industries, but we have ensured that the visa application processes for longer-term business travel will be transparent to provide certainty and clarity.”