The UK left the European Union at the end of January 2020, and in the years since there have been regular complaints from the music industry about the impact that ‘Brexit’ had on British artists touring Europe.
How big an impact? A new report published by the British government – its Department of Culture, Media and Sport – offers some sobering figures.
“Between 2022 and 2024, the UK is estimated to have lost £208.0 million in GVA [gross value added] and 2,490 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs within the touring sectors covered by this study, including both direct and indirect/induced effects,” it concludes.
“Reduced touring by UK musicians after EU Exit is estimated to have resulted in losses of approximately £1.04 billion in GVA and 17,010 FTE jobs across the included EU host countries.”
The report adds that “smaller and mid-scale” touring activity has been affected most, thanks to a combination of “immigration, customs, transport, taxation and social security requirements” that raise the costs and complexity of touring.
“These findings suggest that reduced touring activity has led to measurable economic losses for both the UK and EU,” it adds, while offering some hope for the future.
“The evidence also points to the possibility that easing current barriers could help restore lost value and support long-term sector sustainability.”
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