Thread by @BestForBritain

This morning’s @DCMSCommons committee evidence session on touring musicians and EU arrangements for them post-Brexit - a thread 🧵:

“I think we’re already seeing damage to individuals. We’re also hearing that some of the touring bodies that are based in the UK are facing immediate insolvency. We have about 4 months, until the festival season, to tackle this issue” - @DeborahAnnetts @CommonsDCMS

2/ “If you’re at an early stage in your career then you’re going to find [touring] problematic. If you’re the Foo Fighters you won’t have a problem” @CommonsDCMS

3/ “I have to have a certain level of income and a certain level of reputation [to get a visa to tour in the US]. That is impossible for younger creators” @CommonsDCMS

3/ “We’re hearing people saying things like “I feel like I have to choose whether I’m British or a musician” @CommonsDCMS

4/ “We don’t understand why [the govt. went for a short term business visit visa for artists rather than a visa waiver]. We certainly had understood that the DCMS had tried to get over some concept of frictionless travel. So we were very surprised.” - @DeborahAnnetts @CommonsDCMS

5/ “I try to be optimistic but I do wonder whether there was a level of incompetence or if we were so low down on the list of priorities they just didn’t take on board our know-how as a sector” - @DeborahAnnetts @CommonsDCMS

6/ “We were all seeking a 2-year visa-free arrangement. The govt said the @WeAreTheMU suggested otherwise. I spoke to their General Secretary who categorically denied this. I don’t know who the govt’s been talking to” - @DeborahAnnetts @CommonsDCMS

7/ On theatre: “It’s completely unrealistic [to expect artists to book all their touring equipment in Europe and travel seperately]. We have scenery that’s worked on for months that needs taking over-“

“It’s built, prepped, it’s not a kit of parts, it’s a bespoke set of beautiful artisan work that we take with us.” - Paula Constable @CommonsDCMS

8/ “I think the confusion around rules is a huge issue. It can be luck of the draw - two colleagues travelled to Spain a while back, one was turned back, one was allowed through with the same paperwork” - Paule Constable @CommonsDCMS

This should say Paule Constable - apologies!

9/ “My career would not be what it is if I couldn’t work in Europe. All the steps I have made, I’ve made by being able to work in the wider market of the EU.” - Paule Constable @CommonsDCMS

10/ “We are a net exporter in the creative industries. It’s where we learn, it’s where we grow. It makes the world bigger, and we bring that expertise back to the UK.” - wow. Well said Paule Constable 👏 @CommonsDCMS

11/ @DeborahAnnetts - chief exec of @ISM_music - has never had a meeting with govt ministers about musician visas 🤯 @CommonsDCMS

12/ @cj_dinenage now up before the committee.

"It does feel that the government decided the creative industries were less important than, say, the fishing industries" - @DamianGreen

14/ Alistair Jones confirms the govt isn't currently speaking to any member states about visa arrangements - despite the sector telling the committee they have a rapidly closing window to sort this. 😬 @CommonsDCMS

15/ @GilesWatling - reliving his illustrious acting career! - notes how he'd perform in Vienna and attract diplomats, government officials who share a love for British theatre. An incredible display of the soft power this essential industry gives us.🎭 @CommonsDCMS

16/ "The truth of it seems to be that ministers from the DCMS were not in the room where it happens [discussions about work permits and visas]" - we love a Hamilton reference from @KevinBrennanMP! @CommonsDCMS

(we're shocked and appalled that @cj_dinenage hasn't seen it but don't worry, if you can't get theatres open this year it's on Disney+ too)

17/ "I don't understand what @ISM_music mean by this [the current arrangements not working]" - @cj_dinenage

"If you'd talked to them you might have." - @MrJohnNicolson

👀 @CommonsDCMS

18/ Why are decisions regarding our creative industry which makes up £111 billion of our economy being made, according to @cj_dinenage, by every department except the DCMS?

We've heard a lot of talented artists across many sectors facing career-ending problems, and a whole lot of blame-dodging from the government. We need a solution now. It's time for the govt to get over their fear of experts and actually invite them to the table. /ENDS