Over 300 music, live performance, and cultural organisations have issued an urgent plea to Prime Minister Andy Burnham and European leaders to finally break the devastating deadlock over international touring.
Formed by key industry pillars such as UK Music and the Musicians’ Union, the Cultural Exchange Coalition (CEC) is demanding immediate action ahead of the critical UK-EU summit in Brussels next Friday, November 20. The sprawling coalition has penned an open letter stressing that frictionless cultural exchange must be recognized as an intrinsic part of the future relationship between Britain and the continent.
The coalition is calling for a structured dialogue to secure practical solutions for the movement of touring professionals, their crews, and essential equipment. High-profile musicians, including solo percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, Jools Holland, Level 42’s Mark King, and alt-J keyboardist Gus Unger-Hamilton, have passionately backed the campaign to tear down restrictive post-Brexit barriers.
"Touring around Europe cheaply and easily was a vital part of alt-J's early success," explained Unger-Hamilton, warning that the current bureaucratic gridlock poses a dire threat to the next generation of emerging British artists. Dame Evelyn Glennie echoed this sentiment, adding: "Since Brexit, unnecessary barriers have made it increasingly difficult and costly for musicians, orchestras and touring professionals to share their work across borders. We must not allow political borders to become cultural barriers."
The financial toll of the ongoing red tape is staggering. Recent government data estimates that the UK touring sector lost £208 million and nearly 2,500 jobs between 2022 and 2024. The collateral damage to European economies is equally severe, suffering an estimated loss of over £1.04 billion and 17,000 jobs due to the sharp decline in live events featuring UK musicians.
With Prime Minister Andy Burnham preparing to meet European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the creative sector is demanding a definitive breakthrough. Industry leaders insist that unlocking the full potential of EU-UK cultural exchange is absolutely essential for the shared economic growth, creative vitality, and unified future of both regions.
