Over 300 cultural organisations condemn PM in open letter

Lucy Thraves
Wednesday, April 28, 2021

The letter, written by the ISM and signed by over 300 cultural organisations, criticises the lack of a 'clear plan' in dealing with post-Brexit European touring

Since the start of this year, the music industry has been lobbying the government to renegotiate the terms of the UK's deal with Europe post Brexit, which, as it stands, will seen an end to visa-free touring across the continent. 

Read more: Musicians call on government to negotiate a new agreement for European touring

In March, Labour MP Harriet Harman set out an 'alternative 10-point plan'  that would allow UK musicians to tour Europe without visas.

Now, Boris Johnson is facing mounting pressure as the Incorporated Society of Musicians publishes an open letter condemning the government's 'absence of a clear plan' in dealing with visa issue.

'We are extremely concerned by the lack of progress which has been achieved over the last three months to unravel the mountain of costly bureaucracy and red tape which now faces the creative industries,' the letter states.

'You [Boris Johnson] stated that the government is working ‘flat out’ with individual EU member states and we understand that the immediate focus is to improve their guidance around entry and work requirements. However, this by itself is not sufficient to deliver frictionless mobility for our sector which was a commitment during the Brexit negotiations.'

Read more: Working 'flat out' for a solution: UK Music responds to government's work permits promise

The letter went on to outline four measures that would ensure the survival of the sector. 

These include:

  • a bespoke Visa Waiver Agreement (VWA) with the EU for the music sector, covering all creative professionals including technical and support staff as well as journalists

  • bilateral agreements with key individual EU Member States that do not currently offer cultural exemptions for work permits, or which are the most important financially for creative workers

  • an emergency funding package to be put in place to support creative professionals given the level of additional costs they now face as a result of undertaking work in Europe

  • steps to reduce the adverse impact of the new road haulage and cross-trade rules that has made it impossible for UK established touring companies to facilitate pan-European tours.

To read the full letter and list of signatories, click here.