British PM Boris Johnson asked to deliver 'frictionless mobility' to UK creators

By Emmanuel Legrand

A coalition of over 300 British organisations from the creative sector have urged UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson "to fix the crisis" resulting from Brexit, address the current "absence of a clear plan" to help British artists willing to tour in Europe, and present solutions to "deliver frictionless mobility."

  In a letter prepared by the Incorporated Society Of Musicians, the organisations are asking for a solution to problems linked to the absence of agreement with the European Union regarding the status of British performers and companies who plan to tour in the EU. 

  "You clearly understand the deep frustration felt by our sector now that it is virtually impossible for many creative professionals to work in Europe on a short term or freelance basis," reads the letter.

Concerned by lack of progress

  The letter continues: "We were delighted to hear you make a firm commitment to address the range of issues which have arisen as a result of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) in relation to visas, work permits, moving goods and people. The creative industries need you to deliver on this pledge otherwise work will be lost and businesses will go under."

  The signatories note that while senior leaders in the creative sector have had numerous meetings with civil servants, and presented "a range of workable solutions,” they are "extremely concerned by the lack of progress which has been achieved over the last three months to unravel the mountain of costly bureaucracy and red tape which now faces the creative industries.” 

Four measures for the survival of the sector

  The signatories are proposing four measures "to guarantee the survival of our sector":

  > The British Government should negotiate "a bespoke Visa Waiver Agreement (VWA) with the EU for our sector, covering all creative professionals including technical and support staff as well as journalists." A VWA, they claim, would not require a renegotiation of the TCA with the EU. "We urge you to engage with the EU Commission and move forward with this proposal, which would be hugely beneficial for our sector, add certainty for the future and send a strong message that the UK Government is doing everything it can to protect our world leading industry," urges the letter.

  > Negotiate bilateral agreements with key individual EU Member States that "do not currently offer cultural exemptions for work permits, or which are the most important financially for creative workers."

  > Take steps to reduce the adverse impact of the new road haulage and cross-trade rules that "has made it impossible for UK established touring companies to facilitate pan-European tours."

  >  Set up an emergency funding package "to be put in place to support creative professionals given the level of additional costs they now face as a result of undertaking work in Europe."

A limited window of opportunities

  The letter concludes with a dry warning: "With scheduling already underway for creative work later this year, you have a limited window of opportunity to resolve this crisis which is threatening our industry."

  Deborah Annetts (pictured, below), Chief Executive of the Incorporated Society Of Musicians, explained in a statement that the initiative to publish an open letter came out of frustration that one month after Johnson pledged to fix the crisis facing the creative industry, the sector had "not witnessed any real progress achieved by his officials to deliver on this pledge.”    

  She added: “This letter should send a strong message to the Prime Minister that empty promises will not cut it, and to sort this mess out the government must negotiate a bespoke visa waiver agreement with the EU as well as bilateral deals on work permits with key EU member states."

  Signatories to the letter include music organisations such as UK Music, the Musicians’ Union, music labels' bodies the BPI and AIM, rights society PRS For Music, neighbouring rights society PPL, the Featured Artists Coalition and the Music Managers Forum, but also The Museums Association, the Writer's Guild of Great Britain, and the British Fashion Council.