Committee publication · Correspondence · 14 April 2026
Letter from Rt Hon Ian Murray MP, Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts, regarding performing arts and music sectors, 2 April 2026
Summary
Minister Ian Murray responds to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee's concerns about post-Brexit barriers facing performing artists and musicians touring in the EU. The Government acknowledges challenges around mobility, administrative burdens, and costs, and details efforts to improve arrangements through UK-EU engagement, including a high-level culture meeting with the European Commission. The response covers specific issues: A1 certificate processing times, Orchestra Tax Relief changes, CITES permits for musical instruments, ATA carnets, and customs procedures for touring merchandise.
Key findings
- Government recognises significant post-Brexit challenges for touring performers including barriers to mobility, lost work opportunities, increased costs, and administrative burdens, particularly for early-career artists.
- UK-EU summit agreed to support travel and cultural exchange; Minister participated in first UK-European Commission High-Level Meeting on Culture (24 March 2026) with European Culture Commissioner Glenn Micallef.
- A1 certificate processing times have improved: 80% of online applications now processed within 15 working days and 80% of postal applications within 40 working days.
- Orchestra Tax Relief (providing £50 million support in 2023-24) now limited to UK expenditure only from April 2025; touring costs relating solely to non-UK accommodation and journeys between non-UK destinations no longer eligible.
- Musical Instrument Certificates remain free of charge; Government confirmed in February 2026 no fee changes planned. St Pancras International not designated as CITES Point of Entry due to lack of appropriate infrastructure and UK Border Force assessment.
Tone
FactualTopics
Key actors
Ian Murray MP, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Glenn Micallef, Georg Haeusler, Hannes Heide, Bogdan Zdrojewski, European Commission, UK Border Force
Notable line
“The Government fully recognises that the international mobility of our creative and cultural sectors is a vital component of the UK's soft power and economic growth.”
Key Quotes
“The Government recognises the significant challenges described by witnesses regarding post- Brexit arrangements, which have made it difficult for performance artists, musicians, orchestras, and supporting crew to secure work in the EU.”
“On 24 March, I participated in the first UK-European Commission High-Level Meeting on Culture with European Culture Commissioner, Glenn Micallef, marking a step forward.”
“… the Government has no plans to rejoin Creative Europe. We will only join an EU programme where it is in the national interest and value for money for UK taxpayers to do so.”
“HMRC has increased resourcing and service levels are now being met, with 80% of online applications processed within 15 working days and 80% of postal applications processed within 40 working days.”
“Orchestra Tax Relief (OTR) provides tax relief on productions' costs and provided £50 million of support in 2023-24. There is currently no other country in the world which offers such a tax relief for orchestras.”
“We are acutely aware of the testimony provided to the Committee regarding the cumulative impact of administrative requirements on touring professionals, particularly those at the outset of their careers.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗