Time to face the music? Lords to examine implications of Brexit for musicians
The House of Lords EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee will take evidence for its new inquiry Brexit: movement of people in the fields of sport and culture on Wednesday 7 February.
EU and UK nationals working in sports and culture currently enjoy freedom of movement. However, as the Government seeks to end this arrangement, this could have implications for employers' ability to recruit from the EU, for wages and for prices paid by consumers of sport and culture.
The Committee will examine the benefits and drawbacks of the different options for migration to the UK of EU citizens working in cultural industries, including the effects on the numbers of people migrating, the ramifications for employers, and the possible repercussions for UK citizens should they face reciprocal restrictions in EU countries.
The Committee will take evidence from:
- Mark Pemberton, Director, Association of British Orchestras
- Andrew Hurst, Chief Executive, One Dance UK
- Horace Trubridge, General Secretary, Musicians Union
Questions the witnesses are likely to be asked include:
- What should the Government's policy be towards temporary workers or touring artists coming to the UK and vice versa after the UK leaves the EU?
- What would be the impact on sport and culture if the system fell back on the existing rules for non-EU/EEA nationals?
- What are the key choices relating to UK-EU migration for the Government to consider in advance of phase 2 of the Brexit negotiations?
- In the case of the music and performing arts sector, could increased wages come at the expense of higher prices for consumers for items such as concert tickets or recorded music?
The evidence session will begin at 10:30am on Wednesday 7 February and take place in Committee room 3 of the House of Lords.
