Talks to ease pain of ‘no deal Brexit’ for musicians yet to start, minister admits, as tours are cancelled

Inquiry told of ‘extraordinary crisis that we are facing’ - with gigs in EU in six months’ time already being axed

Talks have yet to begin to ease the damage from the “no-deal Brexit” for musicians, a minister has admitted – despite warnings that tours are already being cancelled.

A “working group” to explore the devastating impact of huge new costs and paperwork was only set up in January, an inquiry heard, weeks after the trade agreement was sealed.

And there have been no discussions with any EU capitals, culture minister Caroline Dinenage told MPs – after the UK ruled out reopening talks with Brussels on the permit-free touring offer it rejected.

The comments sparked fierce criticism from Julian Knight, the Conservative chair of the Commons culture committee, who said the vital sector had been “forced to endure a no-deal Brexit”.

He demanded to know why work began only “after the event” of a deal that ends permit-free touring and imposes huge costs to cross borders with equipment.

Pointing out that the creative industries are worth £111bn a year, Mr Knight asked: “Why is it that one quarter of the UK economy has had to endure a no-deal Brexit?”

The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) warned of artists – who depend on EU tours for 50 per cent of their earnings – facing “heart-rending” charges of £600 for a single concert in Spain.

“There is simply not enough work in the UK to maintain a music career,” said chief executive Deborah Annetts, adding: “This is such an extraordinary crisis that we are facing.”

Warning concerts “from the summer on” are being axed, she added: “Musicians are already thinking, in quite desperate terms, whether they have a career left or whether they will have to retrain.”

Kevin Brennan, a Labour MP warned “the woods are burning” for musicians and other artists, saying: “They are only clinging on at the moment because of Covid.”

In response, Ms Dinenage insisted the government still wanted to “make life easier for those who work in our creative industries in the EU”.

But, asked if talks had begun with any EU countries – after musicians pointed to Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Italy and Spain as key targets – she said: “There are no current negotiations taking place.”

During the evidence session, Ms Dinenage:

* Offered a glimmer of hope by saying the government had no “in principle” objection to a visa-waiver scheme – despite rejecting the EU’s proposal for that.

* Revealed the business department “did the negotiations” on the future for creative industries – with the culture department not in the room.

* Admitted to “difficulties” in agreeing a common approach across government – with responsibilities shared by culture, business, transport and the Home Office.

“Home Office ministers don’t care and culture ministers don’t count – that’s true isn’t it?” Mr Brennan asked, pointing to the determination to end free movement of EU citizens.

But Ms Dinenage insisted: “I think you are barking up the wrong tree when you think this is some kind of ideological issue on behalf of the Home Office.”