PRESS RELEASE
EMBARGOED 00.01 12th March
WE NEED A TOURING VISA WAIVER TO CARRY ON TOURING!
Cross-party MPs and Peers have joined together to support Carry On Touring
In letters sent to DCMS Secretary of State, Rt Hon Oliver Dowden MP and BEIS Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, the Carry on Touring campaign – which has united touring artists and professionals in their support for Tim Brennan’s petition signed by circa 300,000 petitioners - calls on the Government to agree a visa waiver agreement and touring exemption in the EU as soon as possible.
There is growing support for a touring visa waiver for those who tour in the cities and nations across Europe. Cross Party MPs and Peers have joined Tim Brennan and representatives from across the cultural sector to call for a solution that works:
“Although a Music Export Office would, of course, be very welcome, we fear that, on its own, it will not unravel or reduce the bureaucratic and regulatory burden the music and wider creative sector will face when they work and tour in the EU.”
The letter seeks clarity on the Government’s plans and challenges Ministers to recognise that proposals for a Music Export Office is only a part of the solution. Supporters of Carry on Touring fear that a Music Export Office would not really work to fix the very real problems – sheer costs, paperwork and time-limits - created by the need to secure permits and visas in each country touring artists and professionals visit.
‘Carry on Touring’ believe it is not enough for Government to keep repeating the line that the door is open to the EU to come back and negotiate. It is time to proactively seek a solution as it is the public and the economy that will disproportionately suffer unless the Government changes its tune.
NOTES TO EDITOR
Please find both letters linked below for reference.
Music Export Office Letter to the BEIS Secretary of State
Music Export Office Letter to the DCMS Secretary of State
Carry on Touring is a public facing campaign to push forward Tim Brennan’s petition – organised by Gill Morris, DevoConnect with the support of Tim Brennan, petition creator and Ian Smith, Frusion Management & UKE Arts Work.
If you would like a quote from Tim Brennan or the rest of the campaign team, please contact olivia@devoconnect.co.uk
See our website here: https://www.carryontouring.uk/
For media queries please contact: Gill Morris | gill@devoconnect.co.uk