Harriet Harman sets out 10-point plan for post-Brexit touring

Harman has outlined a 10-point plan of proposed measures, backed by industry bodies such as the Musicians’ Union, UK Music and the Incorporated Society of Musicians, that would allow UK musicians to tour Europe without visas.

Read more: Outrage among musicians as government's rejection of EU offer of visa-free tours emerges

In January, it emerged that the government had been unable to secure a deal with the European Union that would allow musicians to tour Europe without visas and work permits, which could make touring prohibitively expensive.

Harman went on to call the government’s response on the issue a 'cock up', and told the Guardian that the government have 'boxed themselves into a corner'.

She said: 'The financial necessity of [touring] being part of the business model of UK musical activity is absolutely beyond doubt. But there are also artistic issues because music thrives when there’s a cultural interchange and artists are able to collaborate. And that generates even more artistic creativity.'

The announcement follows a call from the Incorporated Society of Musicians to the government to address the problems facing musicians as society begins to open up again.

‘I am delighted that so many Parliamentarians have spoken out about the problems facing musicians after Brexit, including around visas and work permits,' said the ISM's chief executive Deborah Annetts.

'For months, the government has promised to try and find workable solutions to the mountain of costs and red tape that will prevent tours, particularly by emerging performers. With the music sector planning our return after coronavirus, it is time for proactive action to ensure that the barriers created by the pandemic are not replaced by new bureaucratic obstacles.'

Commenting on the plan, UK Music chief executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin said: 'We welcome Harriet Harman’s determination to end the extra costs and bureaucracy that musicians and crew now face when touring and working in the EU. Our campaign to protect the touring rights of UK musicians has won support from politicians across the political divide – the priority now is on reaching a solution.

'Every day, I hear heartbreaking stories from musicians and crews whose livelihoods are in grave danger because of the issues surrounding visas and work permits post-Brexit.

'Both the government and the EU have said they want to find a solution that allows musicians and crews to continue their work without barriers that harm their careers and threaten our post-pandemic cultural and economic recovery. 

'However, with visas for a single performance in Spain costing as much as £600, and high fees in other countries too, the prospect of touring will simply be unviable for many.

'For the sake of our world-leading industry, we urgently need a solution, and UK Music is in active discussions with the government to find a way forward. It is critical to the jobs of thousands in the music industry and the talent pipeline on which the music industry relies.'

Harman's 10-point plan can be found here.