UK-EU travel for touring musicians and performers

That this House condemns the UK Government's failure to secure reciprocal visa-free and frictionless UK/EU travel for touring musicians and performers as part of the Brexit negotiations; notes that such artists have suffered significantly this year as work, touring and related income has largely ceased due to Covid-19; acknowledges the impact already being felt by small bands including the collapse of reciprocal tours by Fife band, Aye Hobos, German band, The Berlin Blackouts and many others; recognises the creation of such barriers, additional costs and bureaucracy will negatively impact the sector’s recovery; further recognises the implications this failure has for performers from the EU, who will also be required to obtain costly visas, provide proof of savings and to provide evidence of sponsorship from an event organiser to perform in the UK; registers the risk to Scotland’s international reputation as an open, welcoming and outward looking country by stymying our world-leading festivals ability to attract international guests; and calls on the UK Government to negotiate reciprocal visa-free travel between the UK and EU for touring musicians and performers as a matter of urgency.