Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made to improve access to the EU for musicians.

The Government has been working to deliver its manifesto commitment to support touring artists through sustained engagement with European partners and practical domestic action. This includes building on the commitment to cultural exchange made at the inaugural UK-EU Summit through the first UK-EU High-Level Meeting on Culture in March 2026 with Commissioner Glenn Micallef in Brussels. The UK also became one of the first countries to adopt digital ATA Carnets on 1 June, has increased resources to speed up the processing of A1 forms, and will shortly update relevant online guidance to the sector.

Our recently published report ‘The economic benefits of touring and impact of EU Exit’ also provides the strongest evidence to date on touring barriers across the UK and EU. This will help to inform the Government’s ongoing work with European partners to pursue practical improvements for touring in the EU, as well as support industry engagement with EU counterparts, led by the Cultural Exchange Coalition.