skip to main content

A Boost for Carry on Touring Campaign

The MU is delighted that Tim Brennan and MU member Ian Smith have been nominated for the UK Parliament petition campaign of the year award.

Published: 10 February 2022 | 3:49 PM Updated: 10 February 2022 | 4:45 PM
Plane in the sky above the clouds with a pastel hue as the light filters through the lens.
"This is a great boost for the campaign and a well deserved accolade for Tim and Ian". Image credit: Shutterstock.

Carry on Touring was established to secure cross-party support for Tim Brennan’s petition that asked the UK Government to negotiate a free cultural work permit to give touring professionals visa free travel throughout the 27 EU states.

The umbrella campaign brings together a coalition of voices from across the touring, cultural and creative industries sectors, campaigning for a realistic solution for UK touring professionals and artists in the EU, following the UK's departure from the European Union.

In May 2020, the campaign organised an UK-EU summit, bringing together UK politicians from across the political spectrum and industry figures from all sectors in the UK and the EU. The MU also showed it's support for the campaign and advised members how they could also take part.

A great boost for the campaign

The strength of this campaign is that it is inclusive, reaching across the sector, industry, and political parties, securing support from 43 MPs and 23 members of the House of Lords. Furthermore it continues to grow in strength and MU National Organiser for Live Performance Dave Webster sits on the advisory board.

Dave says:

"This is a great boost for the campaign and a well deserved accolade for Tim and Ian. Well done to Carry On Touring".

You can find more information on the other nominees and full details of the campaign via UK Parliament.

Continue reading

Out of focus interior of a school music classroom, with students practicing musical instruments and an acoustic guitar in the foreground.

Let’s Demand More for Music Hubs

With a new report suggesting that music hubs are facing a £161.4 million black hole, MU National Organiser Chris Walters looks at how we got here and invites members to take action.

Published: 20 February 2025

Read more about Let’s Demand More for Music Hubs
A large vibrant banner saying “It’s our time, Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture”, outside of the Science and Media Museum building.

MU Signs MOU with Bradford 2025 City of Culture

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a framework which ensures that creative workers engaged in Bradford’s upcoming programme of events, as newly appointed City of Culture for 2025, receive fair pay and working conditions.

Published: 20 February 2025

Read more about MU Signs MOU with Bradford 2025 City of Culture
London cityscape with Houses of Parliament and Big Ben tower at sunset.

MU Lobbying Update: How We’re Representing Members in Parliament

The MU’s Head of Communications and Government Relations, Isabelle Gutierrez, reports on a busy month of highlighting musicians’ issues in parliament, with updates relating to streaming, music education, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Published: 20 February 2025

Read more about MU Lobbying Update: How We’re Representing Members in Parliament
MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl on stage at the launch in London.

MU Supports New Arts and Minds Campaign

The newly launched campaign, led by the National Education Union with support from the MU, urges political change to restore the place of arts subjects in schools.

Published: 19 February 2025

Read more about MU Supports New Arts and Minds Campaign