UK Music Chief Govt Jamie Njoku-Goodwin has responded to the post-Brexit commerce deal introduced yesterday (December 24).
The UK and the EU got here to the settlement only one week earlier than the nations are set to completely go away the union following 2016’s referendum.
The deal contains factors on journey for UK residents inside the EU – a key concern for touring artists – in addition to imports and exports, safety, manufacturing, vitality and extra.
In a press release, Njoku-Goodwin mentioned the deal was “welcome and has eliminated a number of the uncertainty going through the music trade”, however left “many questions” for the sector, together with “what it means for touring”.
“The Prime Minister has promised there can be no non-tariff obstacles, so it’s important that Authorities delivers on this promise and ensures there aren’t any obstacles to British musicians working and touring by means of Europe,” he continued. “We can be in search of pressing reassurances on this from Authorities.
The exec additionally mentioned UK Music had been “wanting to take benefits of the alternatives this deal will deliver” and famous that Boris Johnson’s proposal to “set new frameworks for the sectors by which the UK leads the world” was “significantly thrilling”.
Jonathan Higgs, Jeremy Pritchard and Alex Robertshaw of All the things All the things carry out at The Ritz, Manchester on October 11, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photograph by Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage)
“The UK music trade is a key nationwide asset that contributes billions of kilos to the financial system, helps lots of of hundreds of jobs, and has helped Britain punch above its weight internationally for many years,” he added. “The music trade can play an essential position in Britain’s international success over the approaching years, and we hope this settlement could be a stable basis for that.”
Talking particularly about abroad touring, Njoku-Goodwin mentioned the federal government wanted to make sure the UK’s workforce may transfer freely across the EU, significantly in mild of the impression of the coronavirus pandemic. Whereas the deal states UK residents will be capable to go to the EU with out a visa for as much as 90 days, it’s at present unclear what laws can be in place for touring artists.
“There’s a actual danger that British musicians will be unable to bear the price of additional forms and delays which might put some excursions in danger,” he mentioned. “If musicians and creators from abroad face obstacles and prices stepping into the UK, audiences right here may miss out on seeing a few of their favorite acts.”
With reference to exports, the UK Music boss mentioned the agreements offered “an opportunity to develop our exports” and “strike thrilling partnerships to develop UK music in abroad markets”. Nonetheless, he added that supporting and rising the UK’s music trade was “now extra essential than ever following our departure from the EU”.
He additionally urged the federal government to make use of the commerce deal as a possibility to “construct the strongest copyright framework on the earth” and “uphold robust copyright safety in all future commerce agreements”. If Johnson and his administration did, Njoku-Goodwin mentioned the UK may “grow to be a cultural hub and act as the worldwide vacation spot to carry out, document and do enterprise”. It could additionally assist increase the £5.8billion the UK music trade delivered to the financial system final 12 months.
The UK will formally be totally separated from the EU on January 1, 2021. The 4 nations left the EU on January 31, 2020, getting into right into a transition interval that noticed Johnson persevering with negotiations with the union for the newly-agreed deal.
If the Prime Minister had failed to return to an settlement with the EU, the UK would have been left with a No Deal Brexit – something industry figures said earlier this year would be potentially “catastrophic” for the UK music trade.
