A MEMBER of local band Embrace has condemned the decision by the Government not to take up the offer of visa-free travel for musicians in Europe, and the impact it will have on both up and coming and established artists.

Mike Heaton, drummer in Bailiff Bridge group Embrace, said it seemed like the Government “doesn’t care” about the arts, after Downing Street admitted it rejected the European Union’s offer of visa-free travel for musicians to make touring on the continent easier and cheaper.

During Brexit negotiations, the EU offered visa-free travel.... but the UK chose not to accept the offer.

Mr Heaton said “if it was on the table it should have been accepted” and said the decision not to shows the Government “doesn’t give a s**t” about the creative industries.

He said: “The problem is that if you are well-established you can, but it will be harder for new artists.

“Anything that makes it harder to travel round is a nightmare for up and coming bands.

“Back in the day sometimes at borders you had to empty the trucks, then with free movement it got easier.

“But if it goes back to that, with more paperwork it will just make life harder.

“With the industry changing, I’m not sure how up and coming bands, unless they have lot of monetary support from labels, how they will be able to tour around Europe.

“In the past record labels were more cash rich so would give you some support, but now when you’re starting up its very difficult.

“It’s going to make it all a lot more difficult to do. If you love what you do, you’ll find a away, but this just makes it all harder, especially when there was no need for it which is the most insane thing.

“If we could have had it, if it was on the table from the EU, I don’t care what it clashes with they should have done it.

“I can believe the Government have done this, they don’t have any regards for culture and the arts and have shown that with the support they have given it.

“They seem solely focused on the financial sector and the arts seems to be seen as a necessary evil, even though the creative industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the country.

“They should be supporting the arts, but they don’t give a s**t about it, they aren’t supporting artists and that’s only ever a bad thing.

The Government had insisted it was the European Union who had rejected plans for visa-free travel for artists, but last week a Downing Street spokesperson admitted it rejected the plans due to concerns it clashed with ending freedom of movement, a central pillar of the Brexit campaign.

The spokesperson said: “The EU’s offer fell short of the UK’s proposals and would not have enabled touring by musicians.”

Michel Barnier the EU’s chief negotiator in the Brexit talks, added the EU put “a number of proposals” on the table but that Britain lacked “greater ambition”.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government has committed £1.57 billion in a rescue package to support museums, galleries, theatres, music venues and heritage sites affected detrimentally by the crisis.