Amendment seeking visa-free touring in Europe defeated

This is despite assurance in recent debates that the contribution of the music industry to the UK economy was 'significant'. 

In September, Rt Hon Baroness Barran MBE (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)), said that the government intended 'to negotiate reciprocal arrangements which will facilitate businesses, including musicians and groups of musicians, to deliver their services within the EU’.

As a result of yesterday's defeat, the ISM is calling on the UK government to take the necessary steps to ensure UK musicians can continue to travel easily in the EU for work after Brexit. 

ISM chief executive Deborah Annetts said: 'The ISM and music sector is grateful for the support for musicians and creatives shown today in Parliament. However the music sector feels badly let down by the government. It is crucial that the government listens to the concerns raised by MPs and members of the House of Lords and ensures that musicians and creatives can continue to travel and work freely in the EU – as the government assured us just weeks ago.'