Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what support her Department provides to artists and performers from West Dorset constituency seeking to tour in Europe.

This government recognises the impact that visa rules in Europe can have on artists and performers whose work spans multiple countries in quick succession. As your constituents in West Dorset will be aware, these arrangements arise from the UK and EU operating separate immigration systems, and the application of the 90/180-day rule is set at EU level. There is no single unilateral route for the UK to create a new simplified visa category that would apply within the Schengen Area.

However, the Government continues to work with industry to identify practical improvements, and communicate these with our European partners. We welcome the European Commission’s new EU Visa Strategy published on 29 January, which explicitly commits to exploring "practical flexibilities" for the 90/180-day Schengen limit for touring artists, specialists, and hauliers. The Commission’s intention to explore potential flexibilities is a positive recognition of the challenges faced by sectors, and the UK stands ready to engage in these discussions.

The Government also provides direct support for UK artists through initiatives such as the Music Export Growth Scheme, co-funded by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and the International Showcase Fund, funded by the DBT. These schemes are designed to help artists access international markets, expand their reach, and promote the UK’s creative talent globally.

Addressing the challenges faced by artists and performers in our sectors is a key part of our broader strategy to strengthen and grow the UK’s creative industries, as set out in our Creative Industries Sector Plan published in June 2025. Supporting artists and performers touring the EU remains a priority.