Thread by @KevinBrennanMP

Here's a thread of the questions I asked in today's @CommonsDCMS inquiry into EU visa arrangements for creative workers. Witnesses include @TamaraCincik of @FashionRoundTab, @noelmc66 of @bectu and Craig Stanley of @MarshallArts. #CarryOnTouring (1/12)

Firstly it's important to point out that this committee should have been scrutinising Lord Frost - current Cabinet Office Minister who also serves as the Government's Chief Negotiator of Task Force Europe. Disgracefully, Lord Frost cancelled. (2/12)

https://twitter.com/KevinBrennanMP/status/1402868550742724611

Firstly I spoke to agent/promoter Craig Stanley of @MarshallArts about Lord Frost consistently trying to avoid appearing before @CommonsDCMS for scrutiny. Did Lord Frost previously accept a meeting with Craig just because Sir Elton John would be there? (3/12)

The Prime Minister said the Government are working "flat out" to resolve this and the Minister for DCMS said it was "top of his inbox." I pointed out it wasn't even on the agenda of yesterday's meeting of the EU-UK Partnership Council. (4/12)

Next I asked Craig Stanley if he thought the Government were taking us all for fools by claiming they're working "flat out" to resolve it, yet as I pointed out, it's not even on Lord Frost's agenda. (5/12)

I then asked Craig about the European Union position on this. He says EU countries need out talent, their buildings need our talent, the fans want our talent - there is a huge economic argument for the EU to sort this out. (6/12)

I then asked the witnesses if anything in their industry has improved because of Brexit. Craig Stanley said "no" for the music industry, Tamara Cincik said "no" for the fashion industry, and Noel McClean said "no" for the stage and screen industry. (7/12)

I then asked Craig about a recent trade deal the UK Government has struck with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein which includes an agreement for musicians to tour freely. Craig says if the Government "can do a deal there, then why can't it be done across Europe?" (8/12)

Next I asked Craig what he thought of Lord Frost not replying to @CarryonTouring_'s letter which was signed by over 1,000 people in the music industry. He says, "Lord Frost needs to respond, it's quite simple." (9/12)

To finish I asked each witness what they would say to Lord Frost if they had the opportunity. Tamara Cincik says he needs to take the sector and the fashion industry seriously, there is a huge need for visa waivers and an easier way of importing goods. (10/12)

(11/12) Noel McClean would tell the Lord Frost and the UK Government to stop using empty words, stop heralding tiny triumphs - you have campaigners, freelancers, employers, engagers, industry bodies, trade bodies and trade unions all speaking with one voice - listen. (11/12)

Craig Stanley agreed with Tamara and Noel. He says "we feel as though we have just been ignored." The UK Government "don't realise how significant we are." (12/12)