LIVE, a live music and entertainment business trade group for the UK, has been invited to join the UK Government’s UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) Domestic Advisory Group (DAG).
LIVE will be representing the entertainment and cultural industries, and its application was supported by UK Theatre/Society of London Theatre (SOLT), Association of British Orchestras (ABO), Federation of Scottish Theatre and Dance, Theatre and Dance NI and Creu Cyrmu.
The DAG is a consultative body that will relay information from the most affected industries following the Brexit deal to the Government, including representatives from the energy, retail and food industries.
LIVE has already lobbied to make changes in regulation from Governments in the UK and the European Union through its Touring Group, which helped to remove costly visas for touring across Spain, as well as securing a temporary solution to reduce restrictive cabotage regulations that affected the movement of touring trucks.
The body will further work to find solutions to barriers that affect the ability to tour within the EU and issues that also hold back European performers and stage technicians from working freely in the UK.
LIVE chief executive Jon Collins said: “It is fantastic that LIVE will be representing the Iive entertainment and performing industries on such a vital Government body. Having formed as a response to the pandemic, LIVE has consistently proven the power of working together for the good of the sector. This latest appointment will ensure our voice is heard at the heart of Government on such vital issues for our sector.”
Some of the main issues that LIVE will focus on include the need for non-onerous, zero- or low-cost work and travel reciprocal arrangement for musicians and industry professionals across the EU; the introduction of tailored support and measures to allow for own account vehicles and smaller haulage operators to tour Europe without the need to fund an EU operating base; and the introduction of financial support for industries to mitigate the disruption caused by Brexit.
Craig Stanley, chair of LIVE Touring Group, added: “Brexit created a real threat to the way our world-leading sector operated. Frictionless movement and trade are core to European touring, so to protect our sector we have worked tirelessly to find effective and rapid solutions to our problems.
“Our appointment to the DAG is another major step in protecting our industry and creating an environment where we can continue to nurture young talent and provide them with the opportunities needed to build successful careers.”
Image: Roger Harris on Unsplash