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UK Musicians Speak Out On Brexit

UK trade association The Incorporated Society of Musicians has released a new report that chronicles how Brexit, the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union, will impact the music. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2019/05/uk-musicians-speak-out-on-brexit.html]

,   and  Bruce Houghton
EU flagUK trade association The Incorporated Society of Musicians has released a new report that chronicles how Brexit, the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union, will impact the music industry.According to the report, 50% of musicians surveyed by the study reported that their future work, mobility and visas, transportation of instruments and equipment, and health and social security had been impacted by Brexit.As well, 95% of those respondents indicated that the impact had been negative, up from just 19% in 2016, to 26% in 2017, to 40% in 2018, and to 50% in 2019).63% of respondents cited difficulty in securing future work European Union and the wider set of European Economic Area countries as the primary issue they face due to Brexit – and more than 1 in 10 respondents reported that offers of work have been withdrawn or canceled with Brexit given as a reason.The survey also revealed that the European Union was an important source of work for UK musicians. According to the survey, 85% of respondents visited EU member nations for work at least once a year, 22% visit the EU27/EEA more than 11 times per year and more than a third (35%) spend at least a month per year working in EU27/EEA countries.Working musicians also expressed concern about travel difficulties imposed by Brexit, particularly in regards to the transportation of instruments and/or equipment from the UK into EU27 or EAA nations, ISM reported.The report urges the introduction of a two-year touring work visa for UK musicians, which would ensure the freedom of movement between the UK and EU member nations, as well as the establishment of a dedicated hotline to offer guidance on mobility issues. The ISM report also urged lawmakers to maintain European Health Insurance as provided by the EHIC system, or provide an equivalent scheme.

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“Musicians’ livelihoods depend on the ability to travel easily and cheaply around multiple countries for work in a short period of time. If freedom of movement is to end, the Government must ensure that free movement rights are maintained for musicians, or introduce a two-year multi-entry visa for British musicians working in the EU27 – which 95% of respondents preferred over the Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE). PPE is not the answer,” said Deborah Annetts, CEO of ISM.“This report also demonstrates how much the music workforce relies on UK-EU mechanisms – for example, the EHIC scheme and A1 certificate – to support and enable them to work in the EU27/EEA,” she added.– CelebrtiyAccess

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