With a new Prime Minister in Downing Street, we've set out a simple, practical plan to fix post-Brexit touring — one that doesn't need the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to be reopened.
On 7 August, Carry On Touring co-founders Tim Brennan, Ian Smith and Peredur ap Gwynedd wrote to Prime Minister Andy Burnham. We congratulated him on his new role — and asked him to seize a unique opportunity to remove one of the most damaging unintended consequences of Brexit.
The problem
For more than five years, the 90-in-180-day rule has made it far harder for musicians, performers, technicians, production crews and creative freelancers to work across Europe. It's costing jobs, reducing exports and limiting opportunities for the next generation of British talent.
As we told the Prime Minister, this is no longer simply a cultural issue — it's a growth issue. The UK's creative industries generate well over £100 billion for the economy, yet one of our most internationally successful sectors is still held back by barriers that could be easily fixed through practical cooperation.
Our solution: a Digital Creative Mobility Exemption
Rather than reopening the TCA, we've proposed that the Government work with EU partners to introduce a Digital Creative Mobility Exemption, built on the HMRC A1 certificate system that touring professionals already have to use.
A simple digital check would identify eligible creative workers on approved cultural engagements, and that work would be exempt from the 90-in-180-day rule. It's an administrative fix, not a political renegotiation:
- No major new bureaucracy
- No complex legislation
- A smarter use of systems that already exist
Why now
With the EU's Entry/Exit System now in place and ETIAS on its way, borders are counting every day UK workers spend in Europe. The need to get touring working is more urgent than ever — and delay will only make it harder for one of the UK's strongest export sectors.
We believe this is a chance for the new Government to show what modern government can achieve, and to secure a popular, early and highly visible win for growth, jobs and Britain's international reputation.
What we've asked for
We've asked to meet the Prime Minister, Minister for Intergovernmental & European Relations Hamish Falconer MP, and other ministers and Parliamentarians from both Houses to take the proposal forward without delay. We've also offered to work with the Government on a UK–EU Creative Mobility Summit in Parliament this autumn, bringing together representatives and supporters from across the UK and Europe.
The letter was copied to the Chancellor, the Culture Secretary and the Foreign Secretary.
Read the letter in full, or download it as a PDF.
Want to help? Write to your MP and ask them to back a Digital Creative Mobility Exemption — and join our mailing list to hear what happens next.