Asked by: James Frith (Labour - Bury North)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on work permits for British musicians living and working in the EU on 1 November 2019.
Answered by James Duddridge
The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union has regular discussions with EU counterparts regarding preparations for the UK’s departure from the European Union.
Throughout this process the Government’s position has been clear; we want a positive future relationship that will support the growth of the creative industries in both the UK and the EU.
For British musicians resident in the EU before exit day, all Member States have now set out unilateral offers for resident UK nationals in the event of a no deal, and have drafted or enacted relevant legislation, which has been summarised on the European Commission website:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/brexit/brexit-preparedness/citizens-rights_en
After exit, if the UK leaves the EU with a deal, the existing EU rules will continue during the implementation period. This would allow UK nationals and EU citizens to visit and work in each other's territories as they do now from exit day until the end of the implementation period.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, UK nationals travelling to the EU to undertake paid work, including in the music industry, should check with the Embassy of the countries they plan to travel to for what kind of visa or permit, if any, they will need. Information about entry requirements for those intending to work or provide a service in an EU Member State is listed on our advice pages for UK businesses on gov.uk:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/providing-services-to-eea-and-efta-countries-after-eu-exit
Asked by: James Frith (Labour - Bury North)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what progress he has made in negotiating a co-operative accord on culture and education with the EU.
Answered by Robin Walker
The cooperative accord on culture and education proposed in the White Paper [ref] demonstrates our undiminished commitment to supporting European culture and our ambitions for collaboration on education and training, including the provision of opportunities for young people. This will be a priority for negotiations on the future relationship.
The Political Declaration is a significant step towards delivering on this proposal, setting out that the UK and EU will establish terms for UK participation in EU programmes in areas of shared interest, including culture and education, and wider dialogue and exchanges with a view to identify opportunities to cooperate, share best practice and act together. Both sides recognise the importance of mobility and the temporary movement of objects and equipment in enabling this.
Asked by: James Frith (Labour - Bury North)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what contingency plans he is making in relation to UK freight transport using UK ports in the event that (a) no deal with the EU is reached, (b) multi-lateral or bi-lateral driving permits are not honoured after the UK leaves the EU and (c) there is a delay in the number of trained staff being available to adequately cope with the additional customs demands at ports after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Suella Braverman
The Government has been clear that it is in everyone’s interests to secure a good deal for both sides, and does not want nor expect a ‘no deal’ outcome from these negotiations.
With respect to a) and b):
On 19 July the Haulage Permits and Trailer Registration Act received Royal Assent, to ensure that the UK has the powers it needs to support British hauliers to continue operating internationally after exiting the EU. A permit scheme, should it be required, could take several forms. One such scheme is the ECMT (European Conference of Ministers of Transport) permit scheme. This is a non-EU agreement which facilitates reciprocal access amongst its member countries, and hence could be used in the unlikely event of no deal with the EU.
In addition, on 18 May 2018 my Hon Friend the Transport Minister Jesse Norman MP announced plans to improve overnight lorry parking and to ease traffic in the event of cross-Channel disruption.
As regards to c), as the previous Home Secretary announced on 28 March 2018 the UK has launched a nationwide recruitment campaign for officers to help prepare the UK border for leaving the EU, an approximate 1,000 roles in total are being advertised across Border Force. This is on top of 300 frontline Border Force officers already recruited in preparation for exiting the EU. The campaign will provide Border Force with the flexibility to respond effectively to emerging requirements, including any future needs as a result of EU Exit.
HMRC are on course to deliver functioning customs, VAT and excise regimes the UK will need once it leaves the EU in any scenario. This will enable trade to flow, HMRC to collect revenues and the UK to have a secure border.
Over the coming weeks and months, we will be providing further information on our plans for a range of exit scenarios in order to guide businesses and the public on how they can best prepare for our exit from the EU.
Asked by: James Frith (Labour - Bury North)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, when and how the Government plans to set out its contingency plans to tackle delay and disruption at UK ports to ensure that (a) security is unaffected (b) the welfare of logistics workers is fully considered and (c) UK industries reliant on just-in-time deliveries importing fresh produce are not adversely affected as a consequence of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
As any responsible government should we are continuing to prepare for a range of outcomes, including the unlikely scenario in which no mutually satisfactory agreement can be reached.
We have been clear in our objective to ensure that movement through ports remains as frictionless as possible, whatever the outcome of the negotiations with the EU. As the Prime Minister and Secretary of State set out in Parliament on 18th July, the government will be publishing a set of technical notices throughout August and September to help businesses and citizens prepare for March 2019 in the event of a ‘no deal’ scenario.