Government 'misleading' industry with latest EU touring claims

The government has been accused of misleading the performing arts sector a second time, after claiming to have improved the touring situation for artists and creatives traveling to the EU.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announced on October 12 that it had secured "visa-free, short-term touring" for musicians and performers in 20 EU states, and that the 20 countries in question had confirmed that they offer visa and work-permit-free routes for UK creatives.

It follows a similar announcement made in August, which related to 19 states, and also claimed visa-free, short-term touring had been secured. However, in the latest announcement, Romania is added as the 20th country on a list that includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden.

No definition of ’short-term’ is included in the announcement, however the department said that durations and requirements vary from state to state and urged UK nationals to check what requirements are needed before travelling.

The Incorporated Society of Musicians, which has been a strong voice in lobbying the government to find a solution to the post-Brexit touring crisis, said in response that the latest claims give a "misleading impression" about the extent to which work will be possible without a visa or work permit.

It called on the government to "urgently clarify" what time periods are permitted in each of the countries listed. No explanation has also been given on the types of work that is covered, other than a reference to musicians and performers.

"The creative industries are desperate for meaningful action from government on touring. Unfortunately, that action has not come today. If artists were to believe they have visa-free, short-term touring access to 20 European states, then they would be very unprepared for the expensive and time-consuming red-tape that will face them in many countries across Europe," the ISM’s chief executive Deborah Annetts said, claiming it represents "the second time DCMS has put out a misleading statement on touring".

Artists and crews have complained about a "mountain of red tape" that faces them when booking work in some EU countries, with some also requiring expensive permits and carnets, and restrictive rules on haulage.

Several countries on the list offered UK citizens visa and permit-free cultural work before the government’s announcement in August, which prompted warnings that existing policy was being promoted as a new development.

Annetts reiterated calls for the government to negotiate a bespoke visa waiver agreement with the EU, as well as work to resolve expensive bureaucratic obstacles in important markets for the performing arts, such as Spain.

DCMS said it was "actively engaging" with the remaining EU states and had begun discussions with Spain, Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Bulgaria, Malta and Cyprus.

It added that it recognised "specific challenges" remain for the industry, pointing towards some government guidance published earlier this year for specific sectors.

"We want to ensure that as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, touring can resume and our world-leading creative and cultural artists can continue to travel widely, learning their craft, growing their audiences and showing the best of British creativity to the world," said DCMS.