The UK Government has made it easier for live music and touring industry specialist hauliers to move more freely between Great Britain and the European Union (EU) from late summer.
Hauliers that serve music concerts, sports and cultural events will be able to move more freely due to new measures such as dual registration.
Drivers with an established base in Great Britain and in other countries outside of the UK will be able to transfer their vehicle between both operators licenses, without a need to change vehicles or have their journeys limited. Drivers will also not need to pay additional Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) in Great Britain for six months.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “British talent has long been at the heart of global performing arts and our specialist haulage sector is critical to the success of their tours.
“It is unacceptable that because of EU bureaucracy, the operations of our specialist haulage sector on which our artists rely have been put at risk, impacting the livelihoods of touring artists and sportspeople.
“Dual registration helps put this right and means that touring events can take place seamlessly across Great Britain, the EU and beyond, keeping our incredible cultural sector thriving for years to come.”
Since the UK’s departure from the EU, hauliers have been limited to visiting just three EU stops per tour. However, under the new legislation, companies with Great Britain and international operating bases can switch vehicles between the operator licenses. This also applies to other countries outside of the EU.
Craig Stanley, touring group chair for the live music trade group LIVE, added: “We are delighted that our close work with Government has paid off and welcome this move, which will allow European music tours to continue this summer.
“We now look forward to working with Government on options to permanently resolve this issue, such as the negotiation of an EU-wide cultural exemption.”
The changes had originally been reported in mid-April, with the Department of Transport and Transport Secretary Shapps confirming the move.
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