Artists and Musicians: Working in Europe

Lord Hannay of Chiswick Excerpts

Thursday 9th September 2021 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Barran (Con)]

My noble friend is absolutely right and already we have announced, for the reasons he set out, generous criteria for European musicians performing here.

[Lord Hannay of Chiswick (CB)]

My Lords, does the Minister share the frustration that many in this House feel at not getting from the Government any estimate of the damage being done by the failure to negotiate a deal at the time we left the European Union? If she does, can she give us some figures, first, for the number of British musicians, artists and others who were able to travel unimpeded in 2019 and, secondly, for those who have been able to travel in 2021? Perhaps I may discourage reference to Covid because I have just spent some time in France, where its festivals were going at pace.

[Baroness Barran (Con)]

I accept the noble Lord’s reservation about referring to Covid but the most important reason for the damage done in the past 12 months has been Covid. As for bands, I am not sure about the noble Lord’s musical tastes but I am informed that bands such as Jungle and Jake Bugg are already booking European tours; festivals are starting; we are both emerging; and established bands will be performing in, for example, Croatia and Spain.