Tweet

Kevin Brennan MP

29 Jun, 10 tweets, 5 min read

@CommonsDCMS

Here's a short thread of the questions I asked Lord Frost in today's @CommonsDCMS inquiry into EU visa arrangements for creative workers. #CarryOnTouring (1/9)

Firstly I told Lord Frost I found his approach to Select Committee scrutiny appalling. I then asked him if he sees the issue of touring as an immigration issue or a trade issue? After repeating my question, he eventually says "both" but he says it's a complex question. (2/9)

I put it to Lord Frost that it's about trade because we're not talking about people permanently moving - it's about movement of artists to earn valuable export currency in an industry which has an export surplus. He says the government won an election to end free movement. (3/9)

I then read out a quote from a previous DCMS Minister, who after the 2019 election said, "it is essential freedom of movement is protected for artists post 2020." Lord Frost says no Minister "can dictate the outcome of a negotiation that hasn't yet taken place." (4/9)

I tell Lord Frost the creative industries are worth £115 billion and is a net exporter. So why were negotiations concluded with no deal for such an important sector? He says the government do not agree with permanent visa waivers which is what the EU wanted. (5/9)

@CarryonTouring_

I put it to Lord Frost that most people would conclude he doesn't give a fig about the creative industries - especially after he didn't personally reply to @CarryonTouring_'s letter to him. He says no one would reasonably conclude that - he worked hard during negotiations. (6/9)

I then asked Lord Frost what he would say to Elton John following the latter's powerful statement and blunt assessment of the damaging consequences of the government's failure to secure an agreement with the EU. He says Elton had a lot of success before the UK joined the EU (7/9)

I then asked Lord Frost why the issue wasn't even on the agenda of the last EU–UK Partnership Council when he chaired the meeting. After I had to repeat my question, he says "you can't put something that is not the business of an organisation on that organisation's agenda." (8/9)

To finish I raised concerns about the possible reversal of UK films and programmes being treated as European for cultural quota purposes - I asked Lord Frost what the impact would be on exports and inward investment. Sadly, he didn't seem to know what the impact would be. (9/9)

https://twitter.com/KevinBrennanMP/status/1409872217840787459

You can watch my questions in full here:

https://twitter.com/KevinBrennanMP/status/1409872217840787459

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More from @KevinBrennanMP

Kevin Brennan MP

@KevinBrennanMP

10 Jun

@CommonsDCMS

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)

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

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

@MarshallArts

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)

Read 12 tweets

Kevin Brennan MP

@KevinBrennanMP

10 Jun

@CommonsDCMS

Today we should have been questioning Lord Frost @CommonsDCMS Committee on post Brexit touring issues - he didn’t want to come and now has pulled out of appearing - parliamentary scrutiny is not an optional activity for Ministers - this contempt for democracy must stop

@julianknight15

In response to @julianknight15's point of order over Lord Frost's no show @CommonsDCMS, the Deputy Speaker has said: "The Govt must make every effort to ensure the appropriate Ministers are able to give evidence to committees in a timely fashion." (1/2)

"When the Minster concerned is in the House of Lords it is particularly important that committees in this House are able to hold them to account. I hope that every effort is now made to ensure that the committee is able to take evidence from the Minster." (2/2) #CarryOnTouring

Read 4 tweets

Kevin Brennan MP

@KevinBrennanMP

26 Jan

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Here's a short thread of the questions I asked the Information Commissioner, Elizabeth Denham, on the ICO’s investigation into Cambridge Analytica's seized servers and use of personal data. @CommonsDCMS

Firstly, I asked the Information Commissioner about the US Intelligence Committee's report and if they had contacted the ICO to receive evidence that had been seized from Cambridge Analytica's servers. She says she hasn't been contacted but would share if officially requested.

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Read 9 tweets

Kevin Brennan MP

@KevinBrennanMP

23 Jul 20

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The UK government has consistently failed to recognise the scale of the challenge facing those in the creative industries. Here's a short thread on today's @CommonsDCMS report on the impact of Covid-19, the problems faced and some of the recommendations.

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The @musicvenuetrust told the committee that 93% of the grassroots venue network faced permanent closure. @UK_Music told us 90% of all music festivals will be cancelled in 2020. @WeAreTheMU told us venues and festivals are vital because they act as R&D incubators for the industry

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Kevin Brennan MP

@KevinBrennanMP

21 Jul 20

@CommonsDCMS

The UK government needs to appoint an Online Harms Regulator now to prevent a repeat of the damage done by fake news and misinformation on Covid-19 which has spread like wild fire on social media platforms. Here is short thread on @CommonsDCMS' findings.

The Misinformation in the COVID-19 Infodemic report finds:

The report's key recommendations:

Read 10 tweets

Kevin Brennan MP

@KevinBrennanMP

9 Jun 20

@CommonsDCMS

Today in @CommonsDCMS we looked at the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the music industry with @WeAreTheMU's General Secretary, Horace Trubridge. Here's a short thread on some of the important issues discussed.

I asked him how the Covid-19 crisis has impacted the music industry. He tells me it has hit the livelihood of musicians and those working in the industry hard. He adds that more than 20% of people believe they will have to leave music and start a new career.

I asked him if the government support schemes have helped those in the music industry and if any people are falling between the gaps of help on offer. He tells me 40% of those in the music industry have found they don't qualify for any government help.