SCOTLAND’S international reputation risks being wrecked by Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal, the SNP have warned, after musicians raised grave concerns about the impact of the agreement on their industry.
Musicians and performers have been omitted from the list of workers permitted to enter the EU without a visa, with music chiefs warning over the weekend that artists may be forced to abandon tours because of new costs inflicted by the trade agreement.
The decision will also have serious implications for performers from the EU, who will be forced to apply for a costly visa, provide proof of savings and produce a certificate of sponsorship from an event organiser to perform in the UK.
Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, chief executive of UK Music, said that “additional costs and bureaucracy could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back” and warned that the Brexit trade deal could mean audiences here "could miss out on seeing some of their favourite acts”.
SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald MSP commented: “Exiting the EU and ending the free movement of people poses a range of challenges for artists who want to travel and perform in the EU, and could inflict serious damage on our economy, society and international reputation.
“The decision to omit performers from the list of workers permitted to enter the EU without a visa is a real blow for European artists who want to come here, and UK artists who want to perform across Europe – and could also affect the ability of our world-leading festivals to attract international guests.”
READ MORE: SNP hit back at claim they are backing No Deal by voting against Brexit agreement
He added: “We want Scotland to be open and welcoming towards those performers who want to come here and share their talents, and vice versa. Throwing up ridiculous barriers and putting the ability of artists to perform in Europe in jeopardy is yet another example of the damage that this Tory Brexit deal will inflict on Scotland.
"People in Scotland simply shouldn’t be forced to accept the Tories’ narrow-minded and isolationist approach towards our European friends and neighbours. It’s clearer than ever that the UK government cannot be trusted to act in our interests. The only way to regain the benefits of EU membership is for Scotland to become an independent country.”
The call from the SNP came after artists launched a petition to Parliament seeking a Europe-wide visa-free work permit for touring professionals.
A petition seeking Europe-wide visa-free work permits for touring bands and artists
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) December 27, 2020
10,000 signatures means that the government would have to respond. 100,000 would mean it would be considered for debate in Parliament
Twitter, let’s do our thing x x https://t.co/0Kj0fSmEH2
“We would like the UK Govt to negotiate a free cultural work permit that gives us visa free travel throughout the 27 EU states for music touring professionals, bands, musicians, artists, TV and sports celebrities that tour the EU to perform shows and events & Carnet exception for touring equipment,” the petition reads.
Backed by Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess, it had attracted more than 60,000 signatures by Monday afternoon.
A UK Government spokesperson said: “The UK will always be a welcoming, outward-facing nation. Our European neighbours are our friends, and that will not change.
“We are delivering a fairer, points-based immigration system, based on the skills people have, not where they come from. We have already offered dedicated visa arrangements for international artists, and others will have a range of options available to them to come to the UK and carry out permitted engagements as visitors.”
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