Performing Artists and Musicians: Access to the EU

Question

Asked by

To ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made on securing better access to the EU for performing artists and musicians.

My Lords, securing better access to the EU for our creative and cultural sectors is a priority for this Government. We remain committed to pursuing practical, mutually beneficial improvements with the European Commission and member states and welcome the Commission’s recent commitment in its visa strategy to explore practical flexibilities for touring artists. We continue to pursue improvements that will enable UK artists, performers and crews to build audiences and seize opportunities across Europe, supporting growth across our industries.

I thank the Minister for that Answer. Dancers, actors, artists and musicians are having a dire time of it in terms of touring in the EU. For example, 85% of musicians have had a significant loss of income and more than 40% have had a total loss. For young musicians and groups, touring is no longer viable at all. Despite the Minister’s assurances, I hear from the creative industries, from people dealing with Europe and from across the channel that the perception is that this is not a high priority for the department or the Government. I would like to challenge the Minister to say a bit more about that and why she would dispute it, if she does. I was assured by the outgoing Prime Minister, and other Members of this House have assured us, that this is a very important aspect of touring that affects people’s income and the whole reputation of our culture.

Helping touring artists is a manifesto commitment. We continue to engage with the EU and member states to determine how best to improve arrangements for touring across the European continent. We know that there can be additional practical barriers for those at the start of their careers who often have fewer resources, as the noble Lord will be aware. Following his appointment, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to building a closer, more ambitious relationship with the European Union, based on shared interests and practical co-operation. To be clear, I can reassure the noble Lord that, in his first call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the Prime Minister agreed that UK and EU teams should work closely towards a UK-EU summit later this year.

My Lords, in the light of the cancellation of the summit on 22 July—today—and the fact that this matter has been raised by many noble Lords on many occasions, can the Minister give us some reassurance that it will be on the agenda when the EU-UK summit takes place later this year?

I cannot write the agenda before a date is set, but this is a priority for the Government. In March, when Minister Murray co-chaired the first UK-European Commission high-level meeting on culture with Commissioner Micallef, he made sure that this was discussed. It marked a step forward since the UK-EU summit and brought together UK and commission representatives to discuss common priorities. This is one of our manifesto commitments, and it remains a commitment of this Government.

My Lords, this problem, as we have heard, has gone on for many years now, despite the protestations of the Government that they are doing all they can. Is it not now time for the Government to take a much more ambitious approach to our relationships with the EU and start negotiating our return to the single market, which would solve this problem?

The only thing I would add to what I said previously is to repeat that, when the new Prime Minister spoke following his appointment, he reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to building a closer, more ambitious relationship with the European Union. Part of this will be to make sure that we have the summit later this year, if at all possible.

My Lords, I draw the House’s attention to my registered interest on this matter. Does the Minister accept that this issue has been festering for all the 10 years since the disastrous Brexit vote and that successive Governments have so far failed to bring forward new initiatives to crack it? What new initiative will be forthcoming from this Government that might at last make a difference?

I reject the term “festering” in relation to what this Government have done. Helping touring artists and addressing issues around co-operation with Europe remain a priority. I am grateful to the noble Lord for reminding the House of why we ended up leaving the EU in the first place, which was not because of anything that this Government did but was down to the previous one.

My Lords, UK talent that performs overseas is nurtured via the music and dance scheme—a long-standing programme to help students overcome financial barriers and to support our next generation of brilliant performing artists and musicians. Can the Minister confirm that funding for this scheme will continue?

We are hugely keen to make sure that creative careers are accessible for everyone. I do not have the detail of the exact scheme to which the noble Earl refers, but I will write to him.

My Lords, I am delighted, as I know many noble Lords are, about the coming of the Bayeux Tapestry to this country. It is to be celebrated. What can be learned from this loan to build better co-ordination with our nearest neighbours across the arts and heritage sectors?

I saw the Bayeux Tapestry last week, and it was one of the most amazing experiences of not just my career in your Lordships’ House but my entire life. Obviously, the process goes back to discussions that took place over a number of years, including under the previous Government. We can learn from it about working closely with colleagues in Europe from the very top, because it is clear that the President of France is as engaged in this as senior people in this Government. It is basically a gesture celebrating and building on our shared heritage. I urge all noble Lords to make sure that they go along and see this incredible tapestry when it is open to the public.

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