Bectu and Carry On Touring take evidence to the House of Lords

Last month, Bectu National Secretary Noel McClean joined campaign group Carry on Touring to present evidence to the House of Lords on how creative touring has been impacted by the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

Under current restrictions, performers and crew must acquire visas for every European country, placing a huge financial and logistical burden on thousands of creatives.

Presenting evidence to Lord German, Baroness Bull, Earl of Clancarty, Lord Berkeley, Lord Wallace, Kevin Brennan MP, Tommy Shepherd MP, and Christina Rees MP, founding member of Carry on Touring Tim Brennan laid out the main concerns for EU creative touring professionals: work permits, carnets and the lack of information as how to use them, merchandise and the loss of job opportunities for creatives struggling to make a living.

Noel highlighted how the restrictions placed on touring have stretched beyond the music industry, affecting all sectors of the creative industries, including theatre touring.

Bectu has long supported the Carry on Touring campaign, and has previously called on the Government to reopen negotiations with the EU and secure a free cultural work permit to allow touring professionals visa-free travel.

There was a clear consensus across the Peers and MPs present that tangible action is needed to tackle the issue, yet the lack of government representation was notable.

Bectu National Secretary Noel McClean said:

“The UK is renowned for the skill and expertise of its creative workforce, and many Bectu members contribute to its success. Faced with having to obtain visas, there is a huge risk that European and American production companies, as well as artists, will simply avoid hiring British technical workers and musicians. UK workers and independent venues will lose out, and the levels of professional expertise in the industry will decline.

“The industry is united on the solution to this problem: a cultural exemption. What is missing, and needed, is the political will to make it happen.

“The Carry on Touring group presented extremely compelling evidence to the House of Lords, which was supported by MPs and Peers across the political spectrum. It is now critical for the Government to lend its support to reopen negotiations and support our creatives.”

Read more about the evidence session on Carry on Touring’s website here.