Performing Artists and Musicians: Access to the EU

Lord Berkeley of Knighton Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd July 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Berkeley of Knighton]

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

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Twycross) (Lab)]

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.

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Berkeley of Knighton (CB)]

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.

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

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.