Touring Visas: Culture jobs ditched for ideology

Responding to Lord Frost's confirmation that the UK rejected the EU's offer of a visa waiver system for touring arts and culture workers, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Culture, Media and Sport Jamie Stone MP said:   "Lord Frost's admission today confirms to us exactly what we have always suspected - that this Conservative Government puts their political ideology above people's jobs.   "With live events and foreign travel banned, touring performing artists have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic. Now, as restrictions finally ease, they should be looking forward to finally getting the show back on the road. But this Government's botched deal with the EU means it's curtains before the start. "It is utterly crucial that the UK gets back around the negotiation table and finds an agreement that means British touring performers can continue to work in the EU and our favourite European acts can perform here too. "Our arts and culture sector contributes billions to the UK economy and is respected around the world. The UK must put recovery first and enable performers to carry on touring now."