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No 10 has admitted an EU proposal to permit visa-free excursions by musicians was rejected, apparently due to a perception it clashed with ending free movement.
After days of arguing Brussels threw out a deal, the federal government has acknowledged it did flip down a plan, as The Independent revealed – however has refused to elucidate the explanations for doing so.
A Downing Street spokesman mentioned the provide “fell short” of what was required, however a supply has mentioned the rationale was a concern it concerned journey rights that undermined the goals of Brexit.
The plan would have allowed all short-stay employees to return for 90 days, it’s claimed – regardless of the EU pushing to permit solely a carved-out record of “paid activities”, together with music excursions.
Furthermore, EU residents can come to the UK as vacationers for as much as six months anyway, the usual interval for overseas guests exempt from visas.
Music organisations mentioned the admission made it much more necessary that ministers come clear about what occurred within the negotiations – and discover a resolution, to carry the specter of musicians requiring work permits.
They had been repeatedly reassured {that a} Brexit deal would shield touring performers, in addition to their help groups and tools, in an business price £5.8bn a yr to the UK financial system.
Stars together with folks singer Laura Marling and Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess have signed a parliamentary petition demanding visa-free work rights, backed by round 230,000 individuals.
The Incorporated Society of Musicians condemned “needless confusion” and urged the federal government “to put this issue to bed”.
“It would be hugely welcomed by the music sector and fulfil the government’s own commitment made over many months to achieve frictionless work travel for musicians and other performers,” mentioned Deborah Annetts, its chief govt.
And a spokeswoman for the Musicians’ Union mentioned: “We urgently want readability from the UK authorities on why musicians and crew weren’t catered for within the Brexit negotiations.
“We have had no detailed information on what was discussed and we are still seeking clarity on various aspects of the agreement as it stands.”
A No 10 spokesman mentioned: “The EU’s offer fell short of the UK’s proposals and would not have enabled touring by musicians.”
It pushed enquiries to the Department for Digital, Culture, Music and Sport, nevertheless it has refused to reply questions on why the EU provide was rejected – and whether or not the rationale was a concern of weakening the coverage of ending free motion.
However, Caroline Dinenage, the tradition minister, hinted that was the reason, arguing Brussels had been “conflating general freedom of movement/work with specific provision for musicians/artists”.
The recent controversy got here as Michel Barnier, the EU’s Brexit negotiator, confirmed the UK had rebuffed Brussels, telling the Financial Times: “The British didn’t display any greater ambition.”
“We had a number of initial proposals on this,” he mentioned, including: “Of course, you have to be two to reach an agreement.”
He rubbished an article on the NME web site, by Oliver Dowden, the tradition secretary, claiming: “I’m afraid it was the EU letting down music on both sides of the Channel – not us.”
The authorities has argued it “pushed for a more ambitious agreement which would have covered musicians and others, but our proposals were rejected by the EU”.
However, The Independent understands the UK proposal was just for a 30-day exemption for performers, lower than the 90 days the EU put ahead.
And the request was made beneath so-called “mode 4” exemptions – which the EU argues is for specialists, offering contracted providers, not performers.
The stalemate throws the choice onto member states, with some hope that EU capitals will waive the work allow requirement unilaterally.
France has already performed so, saying on the weekend that no permits could be required for Britons “travelling for a sporting, cultural or scientific event”, for as much as 90 days.
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