Ministers rule out rethink to rescue visa-absolutely free excursions by musicians, insisting ‘control of borders’ ought to occur initial

Ministers have rejected phone calls for a rethink to rescue visa-totally free tours by musicians of the EU – insisting “taking back control” of borders ought to appear first.

Answering an urgent issue in the Commons, Caroline Dinenage insisted talks would resume only if Brussels “changes its mind” about how to resolve the stalemate

The lifestyle minister admitted – as The Independent disclosed – that the EU’s proposal was thrown out mainly because of a worry it clashed with ending cost-free movement of individuals soon after Brexit.

She claimed it would have enabled “visa-free short stays for all EU citizens” – even although admitting it would have coated only a “very modest number of paid activities”.

“That is just just not compatible with our manifesto determination to taking again handle of our borders,” she advised MPs.

Underneath stress, Ms Dinenage did concur to contemplate publishing all correspondence to expose accurately what transpired in the unsuccessful negotiations.

But she created clear the government’s goal now was to function with person EU members states – “to come across strategies to make life easier” for musicians – relatively than reopen talks in Brussels.

That would only materialize if the EU agreed to the Uk proposal under so-identified as ‘mode 4’ exemptions, which the EU argues is for professionals, supplying contracted solutions, not performers.

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Its far much more formidable proposal would have eradicated the risk of get the job done visas – for 90 times, not just 30 – for a carved-out listing of “paid activities”, like tunes tours.

In spite of Brexit, EU citizens can occur to the United kingdom as holidaymakers for up to six months in any case, the regular time period for international site visitors exempt from visas.

Even so, Ms Dinenage instructed the Commons the EU give would have opened the door to “permanent visa-free of charge shorter stays for all EU citizens” – breaching the Tory assure to voters.

She also claimed the EU’s proposals would not have “covered assist employees or technicians”, whilst it is considered the United kingdom refused to even open up talks on that.

Pete Wishart, the SNP MP who secured the urgent query, referred to his days touring in Europe with the band Runrig.

“Touring Europe indicates everything to our artists and musicians. The thrill of that 1st tour, crammed into the Transit van with all your equipment, 4 to a place in a low-priced hotel in Paris, Rotterdam or Hamburg. Utilizing what is remaining of the cost for a article-gig beer,” he stated.

“The desire that when you occur back again it will be a lavish tour bus, being in five-star hotels.

“Gone, all long gone. Musicians and artists mere collateral in this government’s obsession in ending liberty of movement.”

But Ms Dinenage hinted any resolution was decades away, declaring: “The negotiating team did negotiate an opportunity to come back and overview this in the a long time forward – so the mild at the end of the tunnel is not completely switched off.”

The stalemate throws the determination on to member states, with some hope that EU capitals will – as France now has – waive the function allow need unilaterally.