'I am out of business if I cannot get these staff' - farmer's fears over new immigration rules
21/02/2020
A Norfolk farmer fears fruit and vegetable operations like his could go bust if new immigration rules close the door to migrant workers who harvest and pack their crops.
Henley Passport Index ranks passports around the world according to visa-free travel, with Japan topping the 2019 list.
THE IRISH passport is currently more powerful than a British one, according to a newly-published global passport ranking.
Priti Patel warned her immigration crackdown will ‘cut the legs off’ the UK music industry
21/02/2020
Home Office accused of refusing to listen to £111bn-a-year culture sector – just weeks after a minister admitted government must retain free movement
Brexit is killing off music tours in EU and industry may not survive immigration crackdown, government warned
12/05/2020
More than two-thirds of musicians say bookings dried up because of visa red tape and cost – even before coronavirus struck
Artists must also prove they have nearly £1000 in savings before applying.
“It’s going to be devastating” – here’s how Brexit will screw over British touring artists [NME]
03/02/2020
But all is not lost – sign the petition now to grant British artists a Musicians’ Passport. Andrew Trendell investigates how Brexit could wreak havoc on the touring industry.
For some weeks the British government has been planning a “shock and awe” campaign to warn British businesses that they have less than six months to prepare for Brexit; but the EU has beaten them to it.
Points-based system will have 'potentially disastrous consequences' in high-vacancy sector and government suggestion that gaps be filled by UK workers earning higher wages rubbished.
EU nationals who plan to work, study, or settle in Jersey will have to apply for a visa from 1 January 2021.
Visa and health fees likely to be levied on those who started UK courses overseas due to Covid.
Musicians will abandon tours after huge new costs and bureaucracy of Brexit deal, ministers warned
27/12/2020
UK Music warns big blow of visa charges and paperwork ‘could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back’.
Festivals warn MPs that Brexit threatens UK “talent pipeline” and ability to book European acts
05/01/2021
"The government need to get an agreement with the EU for touring acts to move freely."
UK ‘rejected offer’ of visa-free tours by musicians in EU, despite blaming Brussels for permit blow
09/01/2021
‘Standard’ proposal to exempt performers for 90 days was proposed, but ‘the UK said no’.
Thom Yorke leads condemnation of ‘spineless’ decision to ‘reject’ EU offer to waive touring visas
10/01/2021
The Independent understands that ‘standard’ proposal exempting musicians from visa process was rejected because the government is denying that same right to EU artists visiting the UK.
Musicians express outrage as Government disputes reports it rejected visa-free access to EU for performers
10/01/2021
Reports suggest a ‘standard’ proposal to exempt British performers from escalating costs for 90 days was turned down because the Government didn’t want to offer European performers the same deal when they visit the UK.
The Government has admitted it rejected an offer for visa-free tours from the EU during Brexit negotiations, after days of insisting the offer was never made.
The EU has insisted it was the UK government's choice to end visa-free touring for musicians on the continent, following an outcry from performers.
Ministers rule out rethink to rescue visa-free tours by musicians, insisting ‘control of borders’ must come first
19/01/2021
Musicians are 'mere collateral in obsession in ending freedom of movement’, minister told.
Orchestras can move freely around the EU without tariffs and piles of forms to fill in - but all that could be about to change.
Some of the UK's biggest music stars have written to the government demanding action to ensure visa-free touring in the European Union.
Ed Sheeran and Liam Gallagher have also signed a letter criticising the lack of visa-free travel for UK musicians across EU countries.
Government claims for rejecting EU offer to save visa-free tours rubbished by musicians’ group
20/01/2021
Caroline Dinenage under fire for string of shaky explanations for throwing out a deal