08.09.2023: Labour’s new Shadow Culture Secretary Thangam Debbonaire has responded to UK Music’s survey which revealed this week that eight out of ten Brexit-hit music creators have seen their earnings fall since the UK left the EU. 

Almost one in three music creators (30%) who responded to the survey said their earnings had been affected since the UK’s official exit from the EU on January 31 2020.

Of those whose income had been impacted by Brexit, an overwhelming 82% said their earnings had decreased. Musicians, DJs and vocalists were among the worst hit. 

In one of her first interventions since taking up her new role, Thangam Debbonaire told PoliticsHome: “Britain’s musicians need a government squarely in their corner, fighting for them. Instead the Tories’ complete lack of ambition for the creative sector has had devastating consequences.

“It’s time the Tories recognised the huge contribution of this important sector to our economy, jobs and joy in people’s lives.

“The next Labour government will back Britain’s world-leading music creators. We’ll push for a visa waiver for touring artists and negotiate an EU-wide cultural touring agreement including important allowances for cabotage, carnets and custom rules.”

However, a government spokesperson responded: “We have confirmed that almost all EU Member States, including the biggest touring markets such as Spain, France, Germany and the Netherlands, offer visa and work permit free routes for UK performers and other creative professionals.

“We are supporting the UK’s brilliant artists to adapt to the new arrangements and continue to make the case to every EU member state about the importance of touring.

“We are continuing dialogue with those few remaining countries which do not offer visa or work permit-free routes to make touring easier.”