Derek Kotz

Industrial reporter

THE Musicians’ Union (MU) has reacted angrily to allegations that ministers rejected an EU offer of visa-free touring by British acts, leaving workers in the industry uncertain of their futures.

Reports quoting a source close to the Brexit negotiations suggest that the British government turned down a proposal to exempt musicians and other touring performers from the need for visas and work permits for up to for 90 days.

They alleged that Britain’s negotiators instead proposed a 30-day exemption — rejected by the EU — to fit in with Home Secretary Priti Patel’s immigration crackdown, which includes stringent visa requirements for visiting performers.

Dismayed MU general secretary Horace Trubridge said ministers had given assurances over many months that music and the creative arts were “a priority” in negotiations — and demanded that ministers come clean over who had blocked the deal.

“With the British music business having been devastated by Covid-19 and with no end in sight to the black hole of cancelled concerts, tours, festivals and regular gigs that is the very bedrock of our world-class industry, the news, if true, that our own elected representatives chose to turn down such an offer is nigh on unbelievable,” Mr Trubridge said.

“Ever since the result of the referendum in 2016, the MU has campaigned and lobbied for a musicians’ passport that would allow our members and their support crew to make a successful living across Europe.”

That campaign had been backed by hundreds of thousands of musicians, industry workers and supporters of a vital industry worth £5.8 billion to the British economy, Mr Trubridge said.