LONDON (AP) – Dozens of UK music stars, including Elton John, Ed Sheeran and conductor Simon Rattle, say British governments have “shamefully failed”, leaving them facing restrictions post-Brexit on European Union tours.
In a letter published Wednesday in the Times of London, more than 100 musicians, including Sting, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd and Roger Daltrey of The Who, along with officials from major arts institutions, said the new trade deal between the Kingdom United Kingdom and the EU that came into force in January. 1 has “an open hole where free movement should be promised for musicians.”
Britain’s exit from the EU means that UK citizens can no longer live and work freely in the bloc of 27 nations. Tourists do not need visas for stays of up to 90 days and short business trips are also allowed. But artists and musicians have not been included in the deal.
Britain and the EU disagree over who is to blame for the omission, accusing each other of rejecting a deal for touring artists.
The new rules mean that UK performers must comply with the different rules of the 27 EU countries, negotiating visas for musicians and permits for their team. Many say the costs and bureaucracy will enable British artists to perform on the continent, jeopardizing the country’s status as a cultural power.
The musicians ’letter said the new spending and bureaucracy will make“ many tours unviable, especially for young emerging musicians who are already struggling to keep their heads above water due to the ban on live music from COVID “.
Scottish National Party MP Pete Wishart, a former member of the rock group Runrig, told the House of Commons on Tuesday that musicians and artists were “mere guarantees in this government’s obsession with ending freedom of movement “and control immigration once it left the EU.
Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage acknowledged the situation was “incredibly disappointing”, but said “the door is open” to talks with the EU on a deal for musicians. He resisted calls from the opposition to post details of proposals made by the UK during negotiations that the bloc allegedly rejected.
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